Sometimes they appear to be talking to a loved one who has long since died - a parent, partner, or sibling. Many people and studies have also reported the dying apparently being visited by and having animated conversations with unseen people in the room. It heralds that death is imminent, but can offer people a last precious glimpse of the person they love. It can be a silver lining, but a brief one.
Final moments before death crack#
They may also crack a joke, smile and interact as if they had never left. They may recognise close family members for the first time in a very long period. It refers to a period of awareness or consciousness, sometimes a complete return to form and personality in someone who may have been gone - to all intents and purposes - for many years. Terminal lucidity, or 'lightening up' was first described in the medical literature as early as 1833. Sometimes death can deliver one last gift to loved ones who have been long denied meaningful interactions because of disease such as Alzheimer's disease, dementia or brain tumours. What should you expect in the final stages of dying? ( Getty Images: Caiaimage/Sam Edwards)
There is also evidence that people in this state are hypersensitive to touch, so soft, gentle physical contact is best. While the dying person may be unresponsive, there is growing evidence that even in this unconscious state, people are aware of what is going on around them and can hear conversations and words spoken to them, although it may feel to them like they are in a dream state.
Final moments before death skin#
Sometimes their skin can be clammy and their hair plastered down with sweat. Can you hear me?Īs people near death, their limbs, hands and feet may get cold, and the colour of their skin may change from a healthy pink to a sallow, grey or mauve tinge. Unfortunately, not much can be done about either of these signs, but perhaps some comfort can be taken from the fact that there is little evidence either of them is a sign of distress or discomfort. It can also sound like there is congestion in the dying person's lungs. This happens because the dying person is not clearing their throat or swallowing. Another is the awfully-named 'death rattle', caused by a build-up of saliva or secretions at the back of the throat.