A hospice nurse has shared her understanding of the afterlife after witnessing countless patients pass away – prompting others to open up about their own thoughts on death
She has shared her experience of the afterlife (stock)(Image: Getty Images)
Many people have wondered what happens to a person’s soul after they die – and one hospice nurse believes she may have some answers.
Taking part in an “Ask Me Anything” thread on Reddit, the US-based healthcare worker invited users to ask questions about death, dying and the experiences she’s witnessed on the job. She explained: “I am a hospice nurse in New England. I work overnights on call mostly, and have seen a lot of things. I’m very open-minded and happy to answer any questions you have about death, the dying process, or anything else.” One user asked whether she had ever experienced anything supernatural while working in hospice care.
In response, the nurse admitted she often gets “goosebumps” around the time someone passes away – and believes some moments could be linked to something beyond this life.
She said: “The craziest things I’ve seen are what dying people tell me they can see – their parents, pets who have died.
“It brings me comfort to think that someday my dog might come and take me home.”
Recalling one moment that stayed with her, she added: “I had a lady the other day literally try to pick a cat up off her lap – there was no cat there – and shoo it away. Her daughter said they had that cat when she was little.”
She went on to share her thoughts on the afterlife, admitting there’s no way to be certain – but explaining why she believes there may be more to death than we understand.
She said: “Personally, I think whatever happens after we die is beyond our human comprehension. Our brains aren’t capable of understanding the complexity of what death could be like.
“What I do know is that many of my patients see people and pets who have already passed before they die. In the medical field, we call them hallucinations, but it’s really up to what you believe.
“They often reach for people and things we can’t see, and they usually find these visions comforting. Is the veil lifting for them? I’m not really sure. I don’t think I’ll know until I die.”
In the comments, many users thanked hospice workers for the care they provide during people’s final moments.
One person wrote: “Thank you so much for what you do. My grandfather passed away a week ago, and his hospice nurses were some of the most caring people I’ve ever met.”
Another added: “I’m a hospice nurse as well, and it’s a real honour to be part of someone’s dying process.
“For those who don’t understand, it’s like watching someone be born. It’s part of the natural life cycle – for every birth, there is a death.”
A third said: “I just want to say thank you. My mum passed away in in-home hospice three weeks ago, and the nurses were incredible.”
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