Death can come as a sad but expected eventuality in some cases, most people don't know what to anticipate before a loved one passes.
There are certain signs that nearly everyone exhibits before dying and while they can look worrying, they're a routine part of the process.
While death is unpleasant, it is a part of life, so it's important to know what to expect before a loved one dies. To help people prepare, Hospice UK have explained six key warning signs of impending death, that are completely normal to see.
1. Loss of appetite
Someone that's close to dying will usually have a much smaller appetite.
They don't have as great a need for nourishment, so it's not uncommon for patients to develop a dry mouth. The task of eating can be daunting for someone with depleting energy.
Charity Hospice UK said: "It might be too much effort to eat and drink. If this is the case you can offer sips or small bites, provided they are conscious and can still swallow.
"You can also help someone with a dry mouth by offering a drink through a straw, moistening the mouth with a damp sponge, placing ice chips in their mouth, or applying lip balm."
2. Breathing changes
One of the biggest signifiers of this is a noticeable change in a person's breathing.
People coming to the end of their life don't need as much oxygen, the charity said. Their breathing might become shallower, and they might yawn frequently to try and draw in more oxygen.
Some patients might also develop a rattling sound when they breathe, as they can't reabsorb fluids in their chest or throat.
3. Feeling sleepy
Some people might find they're sleeping a lot more often before they die.
Hospice UK said: "They are likely to spend more time sleeping, and will often be drowsy even when they are awake. They may also drift in and out of consciousness.
"Some people become completely unconscious for periods of time before they die - this could be for a short period or as long as several days."
4. Fidgeting
It's not unusual for patients to feel increasingly restless before dying.
It could be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, or the result of medication. The restlessness might also be combined with confusion as a result of drifting in and out of sleep.
In the very final moments before death, patients often become calmer.
5. Skin changes
When someone is close to dying, it can impact a person's skin and odour.
The charity said: "Changes to the metabolism of the dying person can cause their breath, skin and body fluids to have a distinctive smell similar to that of nail polish remover.
"If a person is dying from bowel or stomach cancer, this smell might be quite strong."
The skin around patients' hands and feet might develop a mottle blue colour and their skin could swell a little. It's caused by reduced blood circulation and it's normal for blood to pool or coagulate in the body - particularly at the base of the spine.
6. Incontinence
Bladder and bowel muscles might start to relax in the final few days of life.
While it might be distressing to see, it's completely normal. It's not uncommon for patients to have fewer bowel movements if they are eating less and their urine might turn particularly dark.
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