Death is often viewed through the lens of fear, loss, or pain. But for those who spend their lives walking alongside the dying, it can also be something profoundly beautiful, even mystical. One hospice nurse, after years of sitting beside patients in their final hours, has noticed something curious—something many people do just before they pass away. And while no scientific explanation has yet been proven, the meaning behind the gesture may offer a glimpse into a side of death few ever witness.
What she’s observed is as haunting as it is hopeful.
The Woman Behind the Observations
Katie Duncan is not your average nurse. Based in Maryland, she’s spent years working in intensive care units, private homes, and hospice facilities, accompanying individuals and families through their most vulnerable moments. But beyond her clinical title, Katie identifies as a “death care coach”—a role rooted in helping others understand, accept, and navigate the final chapter of life.
Through her growing online platform, she has opened a window into the often-unspoken truths of dying. Her content, shared through short yet powerful videos, isn’t about morbid curiosity—it’s about compassion, connection, and comfort.
One recurring phenomenon that Katie has spoken about has sparked deep conversation across social media: the final movements some patients make right before they die.
The Reaching Gesture: A Common Sign Near the End
According to Katie, there’s one action she’s witnessed over and over again in patients who are approaching death. The person, often unresponsive or quiet for hours or even days, will suddenly raise their arms and reach toward something—upwards, toward the ceiling, or simply into the empty air.
“They reach as if they’re trying to grasp something—or someone—that no one else can see,” Katie explained in one of her TikTok videos. “It’s like they’re extending a hand to someone above them, or like they’re holding an invisible hand in return.”
In some instances, the patient may even attempt to sit up, smile, or open their eyes. It’s a striking gesture made more profound by the fact that many of these individuals were previously too weak to move. Loved ones who’ve been present often describe the moment as peaceful, even sacred.
Katie has come to recognize the movement as part of a broader pattern—a phenomenon that many hospice nurses and palliative care workers have noted for decades.
End-of-Life Visions and the “In-Between”
Though not formally recognized by medical science, what Katie describes fits into a growing body of anecdotal experiences often called end-of-life visions or near-death awareness. These experiences include dying individuals reporting the presence of deceased relatives, pets, or spiritual figures. Some speak aloud, others merely gaze upward or smile, while others—like Katie’s patients—reach out physically.
“Sometimes they’ll say things like, ‘She’s here!’ or ‘I see him’ or call out a name,” Katie recalled. “But often, it’s wordless. Just the motion, the reaching. And then, not long after, they go.”
She emphasizes that these occurrences usually don’t seem distressing. On the contrary, they bring calm. “Most patients aren’t in visible pain during these episodes,” she added. “And the visions, when they’re described, bring them peace.”
Many who’ve witnessed this firsthand describe the moment as one of the most moving experiences of their lives.
A Medical Mystery with Spiritual Undertones
What causes these visions and gestures remains scientifically uncertain. Are they hallucinations brought on by brain chemistry? A side effect of oxygen deprivation? Or are they something more—a glimpse beyond the veil?
Medical explanations typically point to altered brain function as death nears. As the brain begins to shut down, it may release chemicals that create vivid imagery or sensations. Others argue that the experiences are simply the result of the mind preparing itself for the unknown.
But for people like Katie, and the families she serves, the explanation may not matter as much as the meaning.
“These experiences offer comfort, not just to the person dying, but to the people left behind,” she said. “There’s a sense that something beautiful is happening—that death isn’t just an end, but a transition.”
@death.care.coach #hospicenurse #nurse #learnontiktok #deatheducation #oncology #healthcare #endoflifecare #deathdoula ♬ original sound – DeathCareCoach
Families Share Their Experiences
Since sharing her thoughts online, Katie has received thousands of comments and messages from people who say they’ve witnessed the same reaching gesture in their loved ones.
One user wrote, “My dad lifted his arms straight up, even though he hadn’t moved in days. It was like he was trying to hug someone.”
Another shared, “My grandmother smiled, reached out, and whispered, ‘There you are.’ Then she was gone.”
A third commenter added, “I remember my uncle doing that. At the time, I was confused. Now I see it was something spiritual. He wasn’t afraid.”
One particularly touching comment read: “I believe it was my mom seeing my dad again. She reached up, smiled, and then she passed peacefully. It gave me so much closure.”
What Does It Mean?
While we may never fully understand what prompts the reaching gesture or the visions that accompany it, the emotional impact is undeniable.
Some interpret it through a spiritual lens: a soul preparing to leave, guided by a loved one who’s already gone. Others see it as the body’s way of letting go, reaching toward peace after a life well lived—or sometimes, painfully endured.
Katie remains open-minded but grounded. “I don’t pretend to have all the answers,” she says. “But I do know what I see, and I do know what brings comfort. And if reaching is a part of the journey, then maybe we’re meant to witness it—not to explain it away, but to embrace it.”
The Importance of Dignity in Dying
In Katie’s work, death isn’t treated as taboo—it’s treated as natural, inevitable, and worthy of reverence. Her philosophy centers on making the final phase of life as comfortable, compassionate, and connected as possible.
This includes acknowledging moments like the reaching gesture not with fear, but with respect. “When a patient reaches, we pause. We don’t try to stop them. We let the moment unfold. It’s their moment,” she said.
For families, these moments often become the final memory of their loved one—etched in their minds not as a loss, but as a sign of connection, mystery, and perhaps even reunion.
Breaking the Silence Around Death
Katie’s videos have sparked more than curiosity—they’ve opened a conversation. A topic so often hidden or whispered about is being brought into the light.
“I think people are hungry to talk about death,” Katie said. “They want to understand what’s coming. They want to know how to help. And they want to believe that it’s not the terrifying thing we’re taught to fear.”
For those caring for dying loved ones, stories like Katie’s can be deeply reassuring. They offer a lens of grace, comfort, and meaning during one of life’s most vulnerable transitions.
Final Thoughts: A Gesture of Grace
If you ever find yourself beside someone in their final moments, and you see them reach toward the ceiling, don’t be alarmed. Don’t stop them. Simply be there. Witness the moment. Hold their hand. Speak gently.
As Katie Duncan reminds us, death isn’t always the end of a story—it might be the beginning of something else entirely.
Whether it’s a vision, a farewell, or a hand reaching for the unknown, one thing is clear: in those final gestures, there is often more love, more peace, and more wonder than most of us expect.
