End-of-life nurse Katie Duncan has spent years supporting patients and families during their final days, and she’s observed a striking pattern: many dying individuals reach upward as death approaches. This subtle movement, often peaceful and gentle, seems to suggest they are reaching out to someone unseen.

Duncan believes this gesture may signal a transition. She describes patients lifting their arms toward the ceiling, as if recognizing or greeting someone. While science can’t fully explain the phenomenon, hospice workers frequently witness similar behaviors. For many families, it offers comfort—proof their loved one isn’t alone in their final moments.