I know that sound too well 😭😭💔

If you’ve ever heard a loved one make a wet, rattling sound near the end of life, it can be deeply distressing. Known as the *death rattle*, this sound is caused by a buildup of saliva and mucus in the throat when the person is too weak to clear it.

Hospice nurse Julie McFadden emphasizes that it’s not a sign of pain or suffering but a natural part of dying. Though alarming to hear, it usually means death is near—typically within 23 hours.

Doctors sometimes use medication to reduce the sound for the family’s comfort, but suctioning is discouraged, as it can make things worse.

Understanding the death rattle can replace fear with peace. As McFadden puts it, “It’s a sign we are close. The body is doing what it’s supposed to do.”