Working in end-of-life care brings both sorrow and moments of quiet wonder. Hospice nurse Katie Duncan, a Maryland-based “death care coach,” has observed a recurring, mysterious gesture: many dying patients reach upward, as if grasping for something unseen.
In a TikTok video, Katie described this common occurrence. “You’ll see someone reach up, like trying to hold a hand or touch something in the air,” she said. Often, patients also report visions—loved ones, pets, angels, or light. Even when silent, many appear comforted, not distressed.
Though unexplained, these moments are seen as peaceful transitions. “It’s humbling,” Katie said. Her video resonated widely, with viewers sharing similar stories of loved ones reaching upward before passing.
“It felt sacred,” one commenter wrote. “It’s the in-between,” said another.