A hospice doctor has gone viral for revealing a haunting sound that signals a person has less than 24 hours to live — and people everywhere are responding with stories that are equal parts heartbreaking and eerily familiar.
Dr. James O’Leary, a UK-based palliative care physician with over two decades of experience, first described the “death rattle” during a TikTok video that now has more than 13 million views. The sound, he explains, is one of the final stages of the dying process — and while it’s medically understood, most families aren’t prepared for how deeply disturbing it can be.
“It’s a deep, gurgling, choking noise that sounds like struggling to breathe,” Dr. O’Leary said. “But it’s not pain — it’s simply the body shutting down.”— Dr. James O’Leary (@DrJamesMD) June 4, 2025
The sound is caused by a build-up of fluids in the throat and lungs as the body loses its ability to clear them. The patient is usually unconscious or semi-conscious, and while it can be terrifying to hear, it’s not associated with suffering. But emotionally, the impact is devastating.
“The death rattle will haunt me forever,” one user wrote. “I heard it the night before my mother passed. I didn’t know what it meant.”— Mia S. (@MiaWritesLife) June 4, 2025
The viral clip led to an emotional wave of testimonials across social media, as thousands of users shared their own stories of loved ones making the same sound — just hours before passing. Videos on TikTok and threads on Reddit’s r/GriefSupport have filled with posts from grieving families suddenly understanding what they heard in those final moments.
I’ll never forget the gurgling sound. We thought dad was choking. The nurse told us he had less than a day. She was right. #DeathRattle— Clara M. (@claramedic86) June 4, 2025
Hospice professionals have long known about the phenomenon. A 2023 report from the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization describes it as “a common terminal event” in up to 60% of dying patients. Yet it remains shrouded in misunderstanding and fear.
Dr. O’Leary emphasized that the sound should not be seen as something to fix or panic over. “When families hear it, they often ask for suction or emergency care. But it’s not something to fight. It’s the body saying, ‘I’m done now.’”
“Nobody tells you about the sound,” said TikTok user @griefandgrace. “It’s like death knocking gently, and it stays with you forever.”— Grief & Grace (@griefandgrace) June 4, 2025
In an interview with HuffPost, Dr. O’Leary noted that educating families about the death rattle helps ease fear. “It’s not a scream. It’s not pain. It’s the final reflexes of a system closing down.”
The clip also prompted a rare public discussion about dying with dignity — a topic many avoid until it’s too late. End-of-life doulas and palliative nurses have stepped in on social platforms to explain the signs leading up to death, including sudden restlessness, changes in breathing patterns, and cold extremities.
One viral infographic from @PalliativeCareCollective gained traction for its clear breakdown of what families can expect in the final 48 hours of life. The post now has over 120,000 likes.
We fear what we don’t understand. But the more we talk about death, the less scary it becomes. #DyingMatters— End of Life Doula UK (@EndOfLifeUK) June 4, 2025
Some stories being shared are incredibly moving. One woman wrote that she sat with her sister through the final night, holding her hand as the sound continued. “It was awful. But when I read what it was later, I felt peace. She wasn’t suffering. She was just leaving.”
Doctors are now encouraging more open conversation about death. As NPR reported, most Americans say they want to die at home surrounded by loved ones, but few know what the signs of death actually look — or sound — like.
You’re never ready to hear it. But when you do, it means you’re giving them the gift of presence. They’re not alone. #DeathRattle— Hospice With Heart (@HospiceHeartOrg) June 4, 2025
As the clip continues to spread, many say it’s changing how they think about the end of life. Not with fear — but with reverence.
