Hospice nurse breaks down common things that happen in our final moments of life and what they mean

A hospice nurse has shared some of the common things that happen to people in the last days, hours, and minutes of their lives.

We may not know what comes after death, but we do have a very good idea of what can come before it.

There are often clear signs that someone is about to die, and some of them can be quite alarming to loved ones if not properly understood.

Julie McFadden works as a nurse in a hospice providing end of life care to patients and ensuring that when they die it can be as peaceful and painless as possible.

She uses her following on TikTok to educate her followers about some of the common things which happen when we are coming to the end of our lives.

Julie McFadden shares her experience of working in a hospice. (@hospicenursejulie/TikTok)

While the person who is dying might be as comfortable as they can be, it can be unsettling or distressing for loved ones who don't know what to expect.

So what are some of the things which might happen to us when we are in our final moments?

The death rattle

One of the ones which can perhaps be most distressing for loved ones is the death rattle.

This is when breathing becomes louder and more pronounced due to the buildup of fluids in the lungs, and is a sign that someone is close to death.

While it can sound distressing, it doesn't cause any significant discomfort to the dying person and is completely normal.

McFadden explained on her YouTube channel: “The death rattle is the most normal thing and to be expected at the end of life, however if you're not used to hearing it, it feels like the scariest thing you've ever heard."

Cold to the touch

There are many signs in that the body is 'preparing' itself to die.

For example, a dying person's extremities like their feet, legs, and hands can become cold as the body conserves blood around the vital organs.

She shared some of the things that happen when we die. (@hospicenursejulie/TikTok)

Seeing dead loved ones

People can also often see deceased people from their life in the room with them.

McFadden said: "They will sometimes have conversations right in front of us with these people that we don't see."

Whether this is people coming from our past coming back to speed us on our way, or our brain's way of comforting us as we die is up to anyone to interpret in whatever way gives them most comfort.

McFadden shared what she had learned from her work, saying: “What I've learned in hospice nursing and in ICU nursing is that death is not the worst possible thing.

"It has changed my life, me getting to witness so much love I see while my patients are on hospice."