Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It MeansDoes It Hurt?TreatmentTimelineCoping for Loved OnesFAQ

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What It Means

Does It Hurt?

Treatment

Timeline

Coping for Loved Ones

FAQ

What is the death rattle? If you care for a loved one in thelast days of life, you might be upset after learning about the “death rattle” or other alarming breath sounds that you may hear when death is near.

This article will go over what the death rattle means, why the death rattle is a common symptom of impending death, and what you should know if you’re caring for a loved one at the end of their life.

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Woman on oxygen in a hospital bed with man in the background looking at her

What Death Rattle Means

Since a dying person can no longer swallow or cough,phlegmand saliva can build up in the back of the throat and upper airways. The “death rattle” is the name for the sound the fluid makes a sound as air passes through it."

The death rattle appears to be slightly more common in females but can appear in people of any age dying of any cause.

Studies have shown that the death rattle is heard to some degree in roughly half of dying people.

Science has shown that dying is an active process. There are steps in how the body shuts down, just as there were steps at birth, during the teen years, and in other stages of life. The death rattle is one of those steps and one that means death is near.

Is It Uncomfortable?

The death rattle can be very hard for a dying person’s loved ones to hear but it is a normal end-of-life event that isnot uncomfortable for the person who is dying, even if they are partially awake as it’s happening.

The death rattle doesnotmean the person is “drowning” or having a “bad” death.

People with a death rattle while dying do not have any more trouble breathing than those who do not have one.

Likewise, the quality of the death rattle sounds you hear—how loud they are, for example—is not a measure of how much breathing distress there is. Even some treatments for a death rattle won’t necessarily change the sounds.

Terminal Restlessness at the End of Life

The death rattle can be very upsetting for loved ones and caregivers. One study found that at least 66% of loved ones of a dying person found listening to the death rattle highly distressing.

Death rattle sounds can be noisy, but keep in mind that they are not upsetting to the person who is dying.

Is There a Treatment?

There are ways to dry up excess fluid that causes a death rattle, but remember that it is a normal and common step in dying. Your loved one does not feel like they are suffocating because they are breathing this way.

You can try a few things if the death rattle makes you anxious. They include:

How Near Is Death?

Many people wonder how long it will be until death when a loved one develops a death rattle.

The timing varies from person to person, making it hard to predict exactly what the rattle means about impending death.

At the end of life, a person may seem agitated and confused. Others become unexpectedly calm during this time. Providers refer to these changes at the end of life as terminal restlessness and it is a normal part of the dying process.

It’s not uncommon for a dying person to speak of seeing loved ones who have died, which is often comforting and may even make them smile.

Try to resist correcting your dying loved one during this time and instead, just focus on being present with them.

Common Symptoms at the End of Life

Being Present

Being with your loved one while they are dying is hard, but it is a loving gesture. When people talk about their greatest fears, they often fear that they will die alone. Your presence is the greatest gift you can ever give to someone you love who is going through the dying process.

Don’t stop talking to your loved one, even if you do not think they are aware of what’s happening around them. It’s thought that hearing is the last sense to disappear, and even if they seem unconscious, your loved one may still sense your presence and be able to hear what you are saying.

At the same time, you must take care of yourself during this process. Take a break when you need to and make sure that you are tending to your own needs.

What to Say to Someone Who Is Dying

Summary

The “death rattle” is a sign that a person may die soon, maybe even in a matter of hours. The sound of the death rattle is very common when someone dies.

Frequently Asked QuestionsGurgling most often describes the sound of fluid in the lungs. It can occur as part of the death process. “Death rattle” usually refers to the noise of phlegm or saliva pooling in the back of the throat.Cold skin, noisy breathing, and loss of consciousness are among the signs that death may be near.Not everyone will show all of them, but it’s good to know them so you can support your loved one without showing fear or alarm.Learn MoreWhat Happens to the Body at the Time of Death?Typically, a death rattle will begin when a person is hours away from dying, although some people may continue to live for a day or two.Learn MoreHow to Recognize When Your Loved One Is Dying

Frequently Asked Questions

Gurgling most often describes the sound of fluid in the lungs. It can occur as part of the death process. “Death rattle” usually refers to the noise of phlegm or saliva pooling in the back of the throat.

Cold skin, noisy breathing, and loss of consciousness are among the signs that death may be near.Not everyone will show all of them, but it’s good to know them so you can support your loved one without showing fear or alarm.Learn MoreWhat Happens to the Body at the Time of Death?

Cold skin, noisy breathing, and loss of consciousness are among the signs that death may be near.Not everyone will show all of them, but it’s good to know them so you can support your loved one without showing fear or alarm.

Cold skin, noisy breathing, and loss of consciousness are among the signs that death may be near.

Not everyone will show all of them, but it’s good to know them so you can support your loved one without showing fear or alarm.

Learn MoreWhat Happens to the Body at the Time of Death?

Typically, a death rattle will begin when a person is hours away from dying, although some people may continue to live for a day or two.Learn MoreHow to Recognize When Your Loved One Is Dying

Typically, a death rattle will begin when a person is hours away from dying, although some people may continue to live for a day or two.

Learn MoreHow to Recognize When Your Loved One Is Dying

8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Death rattle.Campbell ML.Assuaging listener distress from patient death rattle.Ann Palliat Med. 2019;8(S1):S58-S60. doi:10.21037/apm.2018.09.03Shimizu Y, Miyashita M, Morita T, Sato K, Tsuneto S, Shima Y.Care strategy for death rattle in terminally ill cancer patients and their family members: recommendations from a cross-sectional nationwide survey of bereaved family members’ perceptions.Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2014;48(1):2-12. doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2013.07.010Boland JW, Boland EG.Noisy upper respiratory tract secretions: pharmacological management.BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care. 2020;10(3):304-305. doi:10.1136/bmjspcare-2019-001791Palliative Care Network of Wisconsin.Death rattle and oral secretions.Hospice Foundation of America.Signs of approaching death.Hosker CMG, Bennett MI.Delirium and agitation at the end of life.BMJ. Published online June 9, 2016:i3085. doi:10.1136/bmj.i3085Blundon EG, Gallagher RE, Ward LM.Electrophysiological evidence of preserved hearing at the end of life.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):10336. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-67234-9Additional ReadingKolb H, Snowden A, Stevens E.Systematic review and narrative summary: Treatments for and risk factors associated with respiratory tract secretions (Death rattle) in the dying adult.J Adv Nurs. 2018;74(7):1446-1462. doi: 10.1111/jan.13557

8 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Cancer Institute.Death rattle.Campbell ML.Assuaging listener distress from patient death rattle.Ann Palliat Med. 2019;8(S1):S58-S60. doi:10.21037/apm.2018.09.03Shimizu Y, Miyashita M, Morita T, Sato K, Tsuneto S, Shima Y.Care strategy for death rattle in terminally ill cancer patients and their family members: recommendations from a cross-sectional nationwide survey of bereaved family members’ perceptions.Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2014;48(1):2-12. doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2013.07.010Boland JW, Boland EG.Noisy upper respiratory tract secretions: pharmacological management.BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care. 2020;10(3):304-305. doi:10.1136/bmjspcare-2019-001791Palliative Care Network of Wisconsin.Death rattle and oral secretions.Hospice Foundation of America.Signs of approaching death.Hosker CMG, Bennett MI.Delirium and agitation at the end of life.BMJ. Published online June 9, 2016:i3085. doi:10.1136/bmj.i3085Blundon EG, Gallagher RE, Ward LM.Electrophysiological evidence of preserved hearing at the end of life.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):10336. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-67234-9Additional ReadingKolb H, Snowden A, Stevens E.Systematic review and narrative summary: Treatments for and risk factors associated with respiratory tract secretions (Death rattle) in the dying adult.J Adv Nurs. 2018;74(7):1446-1462. doi: 10.1111/jan.13557

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Cancer Institute.Death rattle.Campbell ML.Assuaging listener distress from patient death rattle.Ann Palliat Med. 2019;8(S1):S58-S60. doi:10.21037/apm.2018.09.03Shimizu Y, Miyashita M, Morita T, Sato K, Tsuneto S, Shima Y.Care strategy for death rattle in terminally ill cancer patients and their family members: recommendations from a cross-sectional nationwide survey of bereaved family members’ perceptions.Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2014;48(1):2-12. doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2013.07.010Boland JW, Boland EG.Noisy upper respiratory tract secretions: pharmacological management.BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care. 2020;10(3):304-305. doi:10.1136/bmjspcare-2019-001791Palliative Care Network of Wisconsin.Death rattle and oral secretions.Hospice Foundation of America.Signs of approaching death.Hosker CMG, Bennett MI.Delirium and agitation at the end of life.BMJ. Published online June 9, 2016:i3085. doi:10.1136/bmj.i3085Blundon EG, Gallagher RE, Ward LM.Electrophysiological evidence of preserved hearing at the end of life.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):10336. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-67234-9

National Cancer Institute.Death rattle.

Campbell ML.Assuaging listener distress from patient death rattle.Ann Palliat Med. 2019;8(S1):S58-S60. doi:10.21037/apm.2018.09.03

Shimizu Y, Miyashita M, Morita T, Sato K, Tsuneto S, Shima Y.Care strategy for death rattle in terminally ill cancer patients and their family members: recommendations from a cross-sectional nationwide survey of bereaved family members’ perceptions.Journal of Pain and Symptom Management. 2014;48(1):2-12. doi:10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2013.07.010

Boland JW, Boland EG.Noisy upper respiratory tract secretions: pharmacological management.BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care. 2020;10(3):304-305. doi:10.1136/bmjspcare-2019-001791

Palliative Care Network of Wisconsin.Death rattle and oral secretions.

Hospice Foundation of America.Signs of approaching death.

Hosker CMG, Bennett MI.Delirium and agitation at the end of life.BMJ. Published online June 9, 2016:i3085. doi:10.1136/bmj.i3085

Blundon EG, Gallagher RE, Ward LM.Electrophysiological evidence of preserved hearing at the end of life.Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):10336. doi:10.1038/s41598-020-67234-9

Kolb H, Snowden A, Stevens E.Systematic review and narrative summary: Treatments for and risk factors associated with respiratory tract secretions (Death rattle) in the dying adult.J Adv Nurs. 2018;74(7):1446-1462. doi: 10.1111/jan.13557

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