What is dying like?

This section contains information on matters relating to the final weeks and days of life. This includes both physical and emotional changes.

What happens at the end of life?

People who have survived a near-death experience tell very different stories about their experience of being ‘dead’. Although many describe moving towards a bright light and a welcoming environment which they find hard to resist, others describe sinking or floating into nothingness.

Many people feel that they don’t know exactly what will happen to their mind after their death. Some people feel that their soul or consciousness will live on (perhaps in a new form) or go to another place. Other people feel that once they have died that is the end and their mind just stops.

When death is due to a terminal illness, it is common for people to get gradually weaker and more tired over several weeks or months. As it is not possible to accurately predict what will happen, it is helpful to do important things such as getting your affairs in order sooner rather than later. However, as with all other seemingly healthy people, there is a small risk that you may die suddenly.

The last weeks

The changes that may occur in your body are discussed in this section. It can be hard to understand how your illness can cause death. The changes it causes in your body will depend on the type of illness you have and which parts of your body it affects.