A veteran hospice nurse says many dying Americans calmly speak of “going on a trip” and seeing deceased loved ones in their final days—and families should not fear it.
Story Highlights
- Hospice nurse Penny Hawkins Smith reports common “deathbed visions” near the end of life.
- Patients often describe travel themes and visits from deceased relatives that bring peace.
- Peer-reviewed research finds end-of-life dreams and visions are widespread and comforting.
- No strong, organized medical push exists to dismiss these experiences as harmful or abnormal.
What A Hospice Nurse Says Happens As People Die
Hospice nurse Penny Hawkins Smith, with about two decades at the bedside, says many patients nearing a natural death talk about taking a trip and report seeing people who have already died. She explains that patients sleep more, become less responsive, and then enter a final coma as the body shuts down. She adds that families often panic at changes they have never seen, but many signs are normal parts of dying and not a reason to fear.
Smith describes “visioning,” where patients see deceased loved ones or speak with them, as common and not random chaos. She ties these moments to acceptance and peace. She also teaches that grief starts before death, which she calls anticipatory grief, and that families should not feel guilty for wishing suffering would end. Her core point is simple: knowledge eases fear, and naming normal signs helps families stay present and calm.
What Studies Say About End‑Of‑Life Dreams And Visions
Research in a respected medical journal found most hospice patients reported at least one end‑of‑life dream or vision. Many described visits from deceased relatives that felt real and brought comfort. The closer patients got to death, the more often those comforting visions appeared. The study urged more clinical attention to these reports because they help patients find meaning and peace in their final days.
Other summaries of hospice research echo that end‑of‑life dreams and visions can be clear, organized, and soothing, not confused or frantic. They differ from distressing hallucinations linked to delirium. Patients often stay calm and coherent when describing them. For many families, hearing a loved one say “Mom is here,” or “I am getting ready to go,” reduces panic and helps them accept what is coming with dignity and grace.
Why This Matters For Faith, Family, And Freedom
American families carry the real work of care at the end of life. Clear facts protect them from fear and from heavy‑handed responses that can rob a loved one’s final moments of peace. When caregivers know these visions are common, they can focus on comfort, prayer, and family time instead of needless alarms. That respect for the family’s role and for the patient’s wishes lines up with conservative values of local control, personal choice, and faith‑anchored hope.
These reports also guard against a cold, bureaucratic view of dying. Big systems like to reduce people to charts. Bedside voices remind us each life is more than data. Families should ask questions, set boundaries, and keep the patient’s values first. Smith’s guidance helps loved ones push back on confusion and keep final days human, humble, and anchored in the truth that death is part of life, not a failure to be feared or hidden.
Handling Disputes And Unknowns Without Panic
Some skeptics call these visions hallucinations tied to brain changes. Others see a spiritual door opening. The medical field has not issued a single verdict. What we do know is that many patients report comfort, not terror, and careful studies show these experiences are common near death. While science explores the “how,” families can honor the “who” in front of them—listening, praying, and choosing care that keeps the patient safe, calm, and respected.
Families can take three simple steps. First, ask the hospice nurse what is normal and what needs action. Second, keep the room calm—soft light, gentle voices, favorite hymns. Third, accept and affirm what the patient shares. You do not need to argue about what they see. Your presence is the anchor. Smith’s message is steady and hopeful: when we understand the signs of dying, we trade fear for peace and give our loved ones the gift of a good goodbye.
Sources:
instagram.com, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, journals.sagepub.com
