Working in end-of-life care carries moments of deep sorrow, but also an undeniable sense of quiet awe. One hospice nurse has opened up about something she has witnessed countless times in her years of caring for the dying—a simple yet hauntingly beautiful gesture that many patients make just before they pass away.
Katie Duncan, a nurse practitioner and self-described “death care coach” from Maryland, has spent years helping people find peace and dignity in their final days. With experience in intensive care units, home hospice, and long-term care, she has noticed a recurring moment that continues to move and mystify her every time.
In a recent TikTok video, Katie spoke about what she calls one of the “mystical” elements of dying. She explained that many patients begin reaching upward, as though trying to touch or hold something invisible above them.
“In my experience, it happens a lot,” she said in the video. “You’ll actually see someone extend their hand, like they’re reaching out for someone—or something—that isn’t physically there.”
Sometimes, she noted, this motion comes with what are often described as end-of-life visions. “People will tell you they’re seeing someone—a loved one, a pet, an angel, or even a bright light,” she said. “Other times, they don’t say anything at all, but still reach upward, as if they can sense a presence nearby.”
There isn’t a clear scientific explanation for why this happens, but many professionals in palliative care view it as a gentle part of the transition rather than something to fear. Katie pointed out that patients rarely seem distressed in those moments. “If anything, they look peaceful,” she said. “Whatever they’re seeing or feeling often brings them an incredible sense of calm.”
https://www.tiktok.com/embed/v2/7348932453429464363?lang=en-US&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fen.newsner.com%2Fnews%2Fend-of-life-nurse-reveals-move-people-make%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwY2xjawN0xb5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFlWFgzVTUxQlIzd0NyWWhyAR6sDEI1mAvgNeVDXEPUUuLAwZX6jvFrE8l_rlUfly6dL-za1IgmgSLItXsK9w_aem_WPw0pOcOJTED3RF7oRC7CQ&embedFrom=oembed
She added softly, “It’s one of the more mysterious and sacred parts of death that we get to witness as caregivers. It’s humbling every time.”
Her video quickly resonated online, drawing emotional responses from people who had seen the same with their loved ones.
“My dad reached up with both arms,” one person shared. “Before that, he couldn’t even lift them.”
Another commenter wrote, “It’s the in-between. What a privilege to see it happen.”
Others echoed that feeling of reverence. “They’re reaching for heaven,” said one. “I didn’t want to interrupt him—it felt sacred,” shared another.
For many families and caregivers, these final gestures bring comfort. They offer a quiet reassurance that their loved one is at peace, perhaps guided by something—or someone—just beyond what the rest of us can see.