Julie McFadden is using her platform to educate people about the dying process, aiming to prepare families for the loss of their loved ones.

As a hospice nurse, she has dedicated herself to helping others “understand the process of dying,” with the hope of “alleviating the fear and stigma around death.” Through her online videos and published book, McFadden shares insights into the final moments of life, offering comfort and understanding to those facing loss.

In one of her posts, she discussed two of the most unsettling experiences that occur at the end of life.

Changes in Breathing

One of the most distressing aspects of dying for families is the shift in breathing patterns, something McFadden says many people “wished they would have known about.”

She reassured viewers that while changes in breathing can seem alarming, they do not indicate suffering. “You can see that chest rapidly breathing, and then a long pause […] and then rapid breathing again.”

This irregular pattern, known as Cheyne–Stokes breathing, is caused by metabolic changes in the body. Despite its unusual appearance, it is a natural part of the dying process.