In the final hours of a person’s life, a distinctive sound known as the “death rattle” can emerge — one that is often distressing for those present but is considered a natural part of the dying process. Medical professionals explain what causes it, how long it typically lasts, and what can be done to ease the experience for families and caregivers.
In brief
- —Occurs in roughly 40% of people in the dying phase
- —On average, life continues about 25 hours after it begins
- —Not painful for the dying person, experts say
Saliva, mucus and a sound that is hard to forget
The death rattle is caused by the accumulation of saliva and mucus at the back of the throat. As a person nears death, they lose the ability to swallow, cough, or otherwise clear these secretions. Each breath then passes through the pooled fluid, producing the characteristic noise.
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