For those working in hospice care, witnessing the final moments of life can be as sacred as they are heartbreaking. But according to one experienced nurse, there’s a small yet mystical gesture many people make in their final hours — and it may bring surprising comfort to grieving families.
Katie Duncan, a Maryland-based nurse practitioner and death care coach, recently shared a powerful insight from her years working in palliative and end-of-life care. In a now-viral TikTok video, she described a moment she’s seen many times — when patients begin to reach their hands upward, as if grasping for something invisible.
“It’s very common,” she said. “You’ll literally see someone reach up, like they’re trying to hold someone’s hand or touch something in the air.”
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Reaching for the Beyond?
These upward-reaching gestures are often accompanied by what’s known in hospice care as end-of-life visions — experiences where people report seeing long-lost loved ones, beloved pets, or even angels.
Some patients remain silent, while others softly speak the names of those they see. What’s truly remarkable is the consistent sense of peace that seems to wash over them.
“They’re not distressed,” Katie explained. “If anything, they seem comforted. These visions, whatever their source, offer a deep sense of calm.”
A Moment Families Never Forget
Katie’s story has resonated deeply online, with thousands sharing personal memories in the comments. One user wrote:
“My dad reached up with both arms. Before that, he hadn’t moved them in days.”
Another added:
“I just knew he was seeing something beautiful. It felt too sacred to interrupt.”
Whether you believe it’s heaven, a spiritual presence, or simply the brain’s way of processing the transition, many caregivers say it’s one of the most humbling and unforgettable parts of walking someone to the edge of life.
Read next: How Hospice Care Helps Families Emotionally and Financially
Navigating the End with Compassion and Preparation
As emotionally moving as these experiences are, the end-of-life journey also requires practical planning. From managing final expenses to understanding burial insurance, many families find themselves unprepared for the financial and legal side of saying goodbye.
Explore: What Is Burial Insurance and Why Might You Need It?
Planning ahead can help reduce stress for loved ones and ensure wishes are honored. Whether it’s creating a living will, consulting with a family law attorney, or understanding the cost of funeral arrangements, taking these steps can be a final gift of peace.
Start here: Essential Estate Planning Checklist for Families in 2025
A Gentle Goodbye
End-of-life care isn’t just about managing pain—it’s about preserving dignity, honoring a person’s journey, and offering compassionate closure. And sometimes, that closure comes in the form of an outstretched hand, lifted toward something we may never fully understand.
In Katie Duncan’s words:
“It’s one of the more mysterious aspects of death we’re lucky enough to witness. It’s humbling.”
Whether you’re coping with grief now or planning ahead, remember: death may be the end of a life, but it’s never the end of love.
