In the final days and hours of life, the body undergoes a series of physical changes – and experts have identified a symptom that is particularly common but often surprising for loved ones
When someone approaches their final days or hours, their body undergoes transformations which can be quite shocking for loved ones witnessing them. One of the most obvious indicators specialists highlight involves changes to the hands.
Marie Curie, Britain’s foremost end-of-life charity, explains the hands, feet, arms, and legs frequently turn cold as blood circulation decreases and the body conserves energy to safeguard essential organs.
This diminished blood supply can also lead the skin to take on a patchy look – with blotches or marks that might appear blue or red on paler skin, or purple or brown on darker complexions.
Such symptoms usually appear during life’s final phase, occasionally hours or days prior to death. “These changes are a normal and natural part of dying,” specialists at Marie Curie clarify.
“They do not usually cause the person pain or distress.”, reports the Express.
The hands aren’t the sole area where alterations occur. Marie Curie notes that breathing frequently becomes more laboured, erratic, or shallow, with some individuals developing an accumulation of saliva or phlegm that produces a gurgling noise in the throat or chest.
Numerous people also find themselves sleeping for extended periods or may lose consciousness entirely during their last hours – although specialists believe they might still perceive voices and sense physical contact.
Another bodily indicator commonly witnessed during those concluding moments is a waxy, pallid appearance to the skin, especially around the face, alongside the facial muscles suddenly going limp. Some end-of-life nurses have reported witnessing a mysterious yet intriguing occurrence known as the “death reach”.
Katie Duncan, a nurse practitioner and end-of-life coach with experience in both intensive care and hospice environments, shared her insights in a widely viewed TikTok video. She noted that it’s not uncommon for individuals on the brink of death to suddenly lift their hands or arms, seemingly reaching towards something unseen.
“This is one of those unexplainable phenomena,” she said. “In my personal experience working with people who are dying, this reach towards someone or something above them is really common.”
This gesture is often associated with what healthcare professionals term end-of-life visions. Some patients report visions of a radiant light, an angel, or even a departed loved one or pet.
Others simply extend their hand upwards in silence, offering no explanation.
Witnessing such an event can be startling and deeply moving for family members, but Duncan offers reassurance that it does not signify the individual is in distress. “It’s really common, and in my experience, it doesn’t cause the person to suffer,” she explained.
Marie Curie suggests relatives remain nearby, speak in gentle tones, hold the dying person’s hand, or softly caress their skin, even if they seem unresponsive. These small gestures of comfort can still convey a sense of solace and presence.