While some people fear dying, others have come to terms with it. In an attempt to ease people’s minds about death, a nurse has taken to social media to answer questions on the topic - saying nothing is off limits.
On Reddit’s Ask Me Anything thread, she wrote: "Hey there! I am a hospice nurse in New England. I work overnights on call mostly and have seen a lot of things. I am very open-minded and happy to answer any questions you have at all about anything related to death, dying, the dying process, or literally anything else."
In response, one user simply asked: "Is there an afterlife?"
While she cannot answer this with certainty, she provided her honest opinion, basing it on the knowledge and experience she has gained throughout her career.
She said: "So, personally, I think whatever happens after we die is beyond our human comprehension. Our tiny little human 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 passed before they die. In the medical field, we refer to them as hallucinations, but it’s really up to what you believe.
"They often reach for people and things that we can’t see, and they usually find these visions or hallucinations comforting. Now, is the veil lifting for them? I’m not really sure. I don’t think I’ll be sure until I die."
Following this, one user shared: "When my dad was dying, he was talking to people we couldn’t see - I’m assuming his siblings and parents who had already passed. The last thing he said was, 'I’m coming.'
"I am not afraid to die now because I know I’ll see him again when I do. It’s comforting to know you’ve seen this happen so often."
This led others to question whether she had ever encountered anything "paranormal" while at work - and her answer surprised many.
She said: "Mostly, it’s just dying people seeing those who have already passed. People often see their parents, pets who have died, and so on.
"I had a lady the other day literally try to pick up a cat from her lap - there was no cat - and shoo it away. Her daughter said they had a cat like that when she was little."
Meanwhile, others used the discussion to thank hospice workers for the care they provide.
One person wrote: "Hospice workers are angels who walk the earth. I’m so thankful for everything they’ve done for me and my family."
Another added: "I just want to say thank you for what you do. My mum passed away in in-home hospice three weeks ago, and the nurses were incredible."
A third said: "Thank you for everything you do. My grandfather passed away last week, and his hospice nurses were some of the most caring people I’ve ever met."
