Working in end-of-life care brings a unique blend of heartache, reflection, and awe. While many people associate hospice work with grief and loss, it also offers moments of profound beauty and connection—moments that defy easy explanation. One such experience has been shared by Katie Duncan, a nurse practitioner and “death care coach” from Maryland, who has spent years helping people transition with dignity during their final days.
Having worked across various care settings, including intensive care units, long-term care facilities, and home hospices, Katie has observed a curious and touching gesture that many patients make as they approach death: they begin to reach upward, as though trying to grasp something invisible above them. In a recent TikTok video that has deeply resonated with viewers, Katie described this motion as one of the most “mystical” aspects of the dying process. “In my experience, it’s very common,” she explained. “You’ll see someone stretch out their arm, or even both arms, like they’re reaching to hold someone’s hand or trying to touch something just out of reach.”
Sometimes, this action is accompanied by what many call end-of-life visions. Patients will say they’re seeing loved ones who have passed away, cherished pets, angelic figures, or even a glowing light. In other cases, they don’t speak at all, but the motion remains—silent and purposeful, as if they’re connecting with a presence unseen by anyone else in the room. Though there’s no medical or scientific explanation for this phenomenon, many caregivers and healthcare professionals recognize it as a comforting part of the transition from life to death. According to Katie, these gestures typically don’t suggest pain or fear. Instead, they often come with a sense of peace and reassurance. “If anything,” she said, “the patient seems calm—comforted, even. These visions or sensations, whatever their source may be, bring about a deep stillness that can be felt in the room.”
Katie described these moments as humbling for those who witness them. “It reminds you that there is something about death we may never fully understand, and yet we are lucky to see these final moments unfold with such grace.” The emotional power of her story resonated far and wide on social media. Many viewers left comments sharing similar experiences of witnessing their loved ones reach upward in their final moments. One person wrote, “My dad lifted both arms toward the ceiling. He hadn’t moved in days, but that moment—he looked peaceful. Like he saw something we didn’t.” Another user commented, “It’s that in-between space, where they’re halfway here and halfway somewhere else.
It felt like a privilege to be present.” Others shared that the gesture seemed sacred. “I didn’t dare touch him,” one woman wrote. “It felt like he was speaking to heaven.” Another simply said, “They’re reaching home.” For many families, such a small motion becomes a source of immense comfort. It reassures them that their loved one wasn’t alone, that perhaps someone—or something—was guiding them gently from one world to the next. While not everyone gets the chance to witness such a gesture, for those who do, it often becomes an unforgettable part of the grieving process. Rather than remembering their loved one’s last breath with sadness alone, they remember a moment that felt otherworldly—beautiful, calm, and deeply meaningful. Katie’s insight has offered many people a new way to view death—not as an abrupt end, but as a peaceful transition that may include visits or signs from beyond. Though science has yet to explain why so many patients reach out just before they die, those who’ve witnessed it don’t always need answers. The gesture itself speaks volumes. It’s quiet, spiritual, and deeply human. Whether it’s a final goodbye, a greeting to someone already gone, or simply a symbolic letting go, reaching toward the unseen offers a powerful reminder that even in death, love and connection remain present. For caregivers like Katie, it’s a privilege to be a witness to such grace in life’s final chapter.
