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.

The ‘Death Rattle’

Another phenomenon that often unsettles loved ones is the death rattle—a sound that occurs when saliva builds up in the mouth but is not swallowed due to the body’s shutting down process.

McFadden, who has spoken about this before, describes it as “the most normal thing” at the end of life, but acknowledges that “if you’re not used to hearing it, it can feel like the scariest thing you’ve ever heard.”

She explained, “People hear it, they don’t understand it, they automatically assume it’s coming from their lungs. That is not happening. It’s truly just a little bit of saliva.” The gurgling sound is simply saliva catching on the breath rather than a sign of distress.

Reassuring Families

McFadden emphasized that neither of these experiences—changes in breathing or the death rattle—cause suffering. “This is not making them feel that they are suffocating, and we know this because the body is showing that it is relaxed.”

She also pointed out that “the body is built to know how to die,” and in cases where patients do seem to struggle, medication can be given to help ease any discomfort.

Through her work, McFadden hopes to remove the fear surrounding death, helping families better understand and navigate the final moments of their loved ones’ lives.