Experts are urging families to understand a common end-of-life sound called the “death rattle.” It can be unsettling to hear, but it is a normal part of dying.
What the “death rattle” is
Medical News Today says it happens when breathing changes and secretions collect in the throat. End-of-life nurse Julie has explained it as a small build-up of saliva at the back of the throat that “sounds really bad.” She also said fever can happen near the end of life because the body loses control of core temperature. She stressed this can be normal when someone is dying naturally at home.
What it can sound like
The sound often appears when a person can no longer swallow in their final stages. Secretions in the respiratory tract may increase. It is commonly described as a crackling, wet noise that gets louder with each breath. It can also sound like a soft moan, loud gurgling, or snoring.
Does it hurt?
Family and friends may worry, but the person is not in pain or discomfort. On average, a person lives about 25 hours after the death rattle starts. Studies suggest it can last longer in hospice care than in hospital.
How nurses may reduce the noise
Health professionals may: turn the person on their side, raise the head to help drainage, moisten the mouth with damp swabs, use suction, limit fluids, or give medication to reduce secretions. These steps may not stop it, but they can make it less noticeable.