Health4 min(s) read
End-of-life nurse reveals common movement people make that indicates they are close to death
An end-of-life nurse has revealed that many patients make one surprising movement shortly before they pass away, and she says it is something she has witnessed time and time again throughout her career.
Healthcare workers who care for dying patients often see some very difficult moments. But according to this hospice professional, there are also experiences that feel difficult to explain. Some even seem a little mysterious.
Katie Duncan, who works in the US state of Maryland, has spent years working in intensive care units, home hospices, and other care settings. Alongside her work as a nurse practitioner, she also describes herself as a “death care coach” who aims to help people feel more comfortable discussing death and dying.
She focuses on helping people “gain more comfort and peace” when talking about the subject, while also ensuring patients are as comfortable as possible near the end of their lives.
During her time caring for patients, Duncan says she has noticed certain behaviors that appear again and again when people are nearing death.
The movement many patients make before death
One behavior that Duncan says she frequently sees involves patients suddenly reaching upward. In many cases, it appears as though they are stretching their arms toward the sky or toward the ceiling.
According to the nurse, it can look as if the person is attempting to grab something that others in the room cannot see.
She explained that in some cases the movement resembles someone reaching out to hold another person’s hand.
"In my personal experience working with people who are dying, this reaching towards someone or something above them, is really common," she explained in a TikTok video.
"You will literally see the person reach up, and almost look like they are trying to touch someone or hold someones hand.
"Sometimes this is associated with what we call end-of-life visions or other end-of-life experiences - when someone will actually vocalize that they are seeing someone or something."
Duncan says these moments can be difficult to explain from a medical perspective, although they are widely reported by people working in hospice care.
Why some believe it happens
According to Duncan, the reaching motion is sometimes linked with experiences that people report as they approach death.
She explained that it can be similar to stories where people claim to see an angel or a bright light shortly before they die.
"Very commonly, it is a loved one or family member or pet, someone who has died before," Katie continued. "And the person who is dying is vocalising that they're seeing this person.
"But sometimes, you see a person reach, and they don't say anything at all," she said.
Reflecting on these moments, Duncan said the gesture is something she has seen many times during her career caring for people in their final days.
"It's one of those mystical parts of the dying process that we are able to be a witness to.
"Most commonly, the person does not appear to be in pain or distress, and we also know that other end-of-life visions and experiences tend to bring the dying person a lot of peace and comfort."
Social media users share their experiences
Duncan shared her thoughts in a TikTok video, and many viewers responded by sharing stories from their own lives.
A number of people said they had witnessed the same movement when loved ones were nearing the end of their lives.
One person wrote, "This is the in-between. What a privilege to witness."
Another commented, "My dad reached up with both arms. Prior to this, he couldn't lift his arms at all."
A third said: "It's heaven they are reaching for."
While a fourth chimed in saying, "When I witnessed this I didn't want to disturb him at all. It was a really special experience."
For many people reading Duncan’s post, the stories offered a sense of comfort. While the exact explanation behind the movement remains uncertain, the nurse says the moment often appears calm rather than distressing.
And for those who have watched a loved one go through it, the gesture can feel like a quiet and meaningful moment during an otherwise difficult time.