Think about being next to someone you love as they take their last breaths and hearing a sound that makes you feel sick—a wet, rattling noise that sounds like choking or gasping for air. The “death rattle” is a sound that the body makes when it gets close to the conclusion of its journey. Hospice nurse Julie McFadden says that the death rattle is a normal aspect of dying. It happens when a person is too weak or unconscious to clear the mucus and saliva that have built up in their throat.
The death rattle usually means that someone has less than 23 hours to live. Experts say that even if it sounds scary, it’s not a sign that the person is in pain or suffering. It’s not a sign that the body is shutting down; it’s a clue that the body is getting ready for its last moments. McFadden tells others who are close to the person who died to think of the death rattle as a “biological lullaby,” a calm sign that the end is nigh.
What the Death Rattle Means
Causes: The death rattle happens when the swallowing reflex weakens and air moves across the fluid in the throat, making a unique rattling sound.
A crackling, moist sound that may happen with each breath is a sign that the person is close to death.
What to Expect: The death rattle might be upsetting for family and friends, but it’s important to realize that it doesn’t mean the person is in agony or suffering.
Helping People You Care About
Presence: Just being there for someone you care about might make them feel better. Talk to them, hold their hand, and tell them how much they mean to you.
Understanding: Learning about the death rattle and the process of dying will help you deal with the situation and be there for your loved one.
Getting Help: If the death rattle is bothering you, palliative care doctors may give you medicine to make it quieter. However, suctioning is usually not a good idea because it can make more saliva.
How to Deal with the Death Rattle
A lot of people who have heard the death rattle tell their stories, which shows how important it is to be informed and comprehend. When we accept the death rattle as a normal aspect of dying, we can see it as a soft exhalation, a holy moment that marks the end of a magnificent life narrative. Instead of being afraid of the death rattle, we can find comfort in knowing that our loved one isn’t in pain and that their body is doing what it needs to do to go on to the next stage ¹.
