6 things your doctor wishes you knew about death
Why do some people wake up? Will it hurt? And other questions that have crossed your mind.
Jan, 2026
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Slide 1
Each death is as unique as the life it completes. No one can tell you when you’ll go, or exactly how it will feel. But like any major life event, it can be a meaningful experience. If you’re not afraid to ask about death, and you make your wishes known, it can:
- Be a reflection of how you lived
- Take place after you’ve spoken to or seen loved ones
- Be as comfortable as possible
- Encourage a healthy grieving process among family and friends
With that in mind, here are essential facts everyone should know about death.
Written byRose Hayes, MA, RN.
Medically reviewed byAnn Wendling, MD, MPH.
Sources: Northwestern Medicine. Last Hours of Living. Accessed July 28 + 9
- Northwestern Medicine. Last Hours of Living. Accessed July 28, 2017.
- Hospice Foundation of America. Signs of Approaching Death. Accessed April 22, 2024.
- Hospice Foundation of America. Helping a Friend Who Is Dying. Accessed April 22, 2024.
- NIH/National Institute on Aging. Providing Care and Comfort at the End of Life. Reviewed November 17, 2022.
- Mayo Clinic. EEG (electroencephalogram). May 11, 2022.
- Get Palliative Care. What is Palliative Care? Accessed April 22, 2024.
- NIH/National Institute on Aging. What Are Palliative Care and Hospice Care? Reviewed May 14, 2021.
- MedlinePlus. Palliative Care. Updated March 26, 2015.
- FiveWishes.org. Five Wishes. Accessed April 22, 2024.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Advance Care Planning: Ensuring Your Wishes Are Known and Honored If You Are Unable to Speak for Yourself. 2012.
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