A seasoned hospice nurse has shed light on what occurs during the process of death, emphasizing that it is a natural and ordinary event that should not be feared. Penny Hawkins Smith, aged 62 and with two decades of experience in accompanying individuals in their final moments, shared insights into the transition towards death.
According to Penny, individuals undergoing a natural death tend to increase their sleeping hours and gradually enter a state of responsiveness before entering what she terms a ‘death coma’. She mentioned that during this phase, individuals often have visions and express thoughts about embarking on a journey.
Penny, a quality assurance nurse at a hospice facility, highlighted that the phenomena of visions and conversations about journeys typically occur close to the individual’s passing, offering a sense of solace to them. She expressed that death, in her view, is a “beautiful” and fundamentally ordinary occurrence. Penny remarked, “In medical training, the focus is often on saving lives and extending longevity, viewing death as a shortcoming, leading to its stigmatization. Lack of knowledge often breeds fear, which is why discussions about death are avoided. Educating families and destigmatizing death is crucial as it is a universal experience we all must face.”
Throughout her extensive career, Penny has guided numerous individuals through their final moments. She stressed that her primary goal when patients enter hospice care is to normalize the process of dying for both the patient and their family. Penny shared, “Many entering hospice are unaware of their limited life expectancy. At times, I must be direct, informing families of the imminent passing of their loved ones. Normalizing the dying process and reassuring them that what they are witnessing is typical helps ease their concerns.”
Regarding the experiences of individuals nearing death, Penny mentioned the occurrence of ‘paranormal activities’ such as visions and discussions about travel. She described how patients may witness visions of loved ones or express desires for one last adventure.
Penny noted that while each death is unique, individuals with terminal illnesses undergoing a natural death often share similar experiences. She explained, “In cases of natural death, where terminal patients forego life-prolonging treatments, a distinct process unfolds. While the signs may vary, patients typically exhibit some or all hallmark characteristics. In hospice settings, sudden deaths are rare; instead, patients gradually become less responsive, entering a death coma before passing away.”
In conclusion, Penny underlined that allowing individuals to undergo a natural death can lead to a more peaceful and accepted transition.