Katie Duncan has spent years working closely with people during one of the most profound moments of human life—the final days and hours before death.
Through her work in intensive care units, home hospice environments, and long-term care facilities, she has witnessed countless patients reach the end of their journeys.
Over time, these experiences have given her a unique perspective on the dying process. According to Duncan, while every person’s passing is different, certain patterns appear again and again—moments that she describes as deeply emotional, sometimes mysterious, and often surprisingly peaceful.
In recent years, Duncan has begun sharing some of these observations publicly on social media. Her educational videos on TikTok have attracted a large audience, as people around the world search for understanding about death, grief, and what their loved ones may experience in their final moments.
One particular video sparked a powerful response from viewers because it focused on something many caregivers have quietly noticed but rarely discussed openly.
A movement often seen near the end of life
In the video, Duncan explained that many patients make a similar gesture as they approach death: they reach upward, often lifting their arms toward the ceiling or stretching their hands out into the air.
She noted that this movement appears surprisingly often among people who are in the final stage of life.
“From what I’ve seen, this happens quite frequently,” Duncan explained. “Sometimes you can actually watch someone lift their arms and reach upward, almost as if they’re trying to take someone’s hand or connect with something just above them.”
For caregivers and family members witnessing the moment, it can feel emotional and puzzling at the same time.
Some patients move their hands slowly, as if they are trying to touch something invisible. Others extend their arms as though greeting someone who has just entered the room.
Visions many patients describe
According to Duncan, these gestures are sometimes connected to what medical professionals refer to as end-of-life visions.
Patients who are still able to communicate often describe seeing someone nearby—even though no one else in the room can see them.
“Many people say they see someone,” Duncan shared. “Sometimes it’s a loved one who passed away earlier. Sometimes they say they see a pet, an angel, or a bright light.”
In other cases, the person may not say anything at all, but they still reach outward or upward, as if sensing a presence close to them.
For families, these moments can be deeply meaningful. Some interpret them as spiritual experiences, while others view them as part of the brain’s natural process during the final stage of life.
Peace rather than fear
One detail Duncan emphasizes is that these moments rarely seem frightening to the patient.
In fact, quite the opposite is often true.
“People usually appear very calm,” she explained. “If anything, they seem comforted by what they’re experiencing.”
Instead of showing signs of panic or confusion, many individuals appear peaceful—sometimes even smiling or speaking gently to the unseen figure they believe is present.
For families sitting at the bedside, witnessing this calmness can be reassuring. It suggests that their loved one may be experiencing a sense of comfort during their final moments.
A mysterious part of the dying process
Duncan describes these experiences as one of the most mysterious parts of end-of-life care.
Medical science does not yet fully understand why these visions occur. Some researchers believe they may be related to chemical changes in the brain as the body begins shutting down.
Others believe psychological factors, memories, or emotional needs could influence what patients perceive.
At the same time, many caregivers feel that the experiences carry a deeper emotional or spiritual significance for the individuals who are dying.
Duncan approaches the phenomenon with respect and humility.
“It’s one of the most mysterious aspects of death that we have the privilege to witness as caregivers,” she said. “It’s incredibly humbling.”
Caregivers learn to honor these moments
Because these moments can feel so meaningful, hospice professionals often encourage family members not to interrupt or dismiss the experience.
If a patient says they see someone in the room, caregivers typically respond with reassurance rather than correction.
The goal is not to argue about whether the vision is real, but to support the emotional comfort of the person who is dying.
For example, a caregiver might respond with gentle curiosity by asking questions like:
- “Who do you see?”
- “What are they saying?”
- “Do they make you feel safe?”
This approach helps maintain a peaceful environment and allows the patient to feel understood rather than confused or corrected.
Thousands of people shared similar stories
After Duncan posted her video, thousands of viewers responded with personal stories of their own.
Many people said they had witnessed something remarkably similar when a parent, grandparent, or spouse passed away.
One commenter wrote that their father suddenly lifted both of his arms shortly before he died—even though he had been too weak to move them earlier.
“My father raised both arms,” the viewer wrote. “Before that moment, he couldn’t lift them at all.”
Another person described watching a loved one reach outward during their final moments and feeling that it was something sacred.
“When I saw it happening, I knew I shouldn’t interrupt him,” the commenter said. “It felt like a very important moment.”
A third person expressed the experience in poetic terms, describing it as a moment that exists between two worlds.
“This is the space in between,” they wrote. “What a gift it is to witness.”
A reminder of the human side of death
For Duncan, sharing these observations isn’t about creating fear or mystery around death. Instead, she hopes it helps people understand that the dying process is often gentler than many imagine.
Death is a subject many cultures avoid discussing, but hospice workers see it every day. Through their experiences, they often discover that the final moments of life can be filled with quiet, meaningful interactions.
Duncan believes that talking about these experiences openly can help families feel more prepared and less frightened when the time comes to say goodbye.
Finding meaning in the final moments
Whether people interpret these gestures and visions as spiritual experiences, neurological events, or something in between, one thing remains clear: they are powerful moments for those who witness them.
For caregivers, they are reminders of the profound responsibility involved in caring for someone at the end of life.
For families, they can become deeply cherished memories—small glimpses into the final moments of a loved one’s journey.
And for Duncan, they represent something she feels privileged to observe.
