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Hospice Nurse Reveals The One Sign Someone May Die Within Four Weeks
Death is something most people spend their lives trying not to think about. Even though it is universal and unavoidable, it remains one of the most uncomfortable topics in modern society, often discussed only in whispers or moments of crisis. When a loved one is nearing the end of life, that discomfort can quickly turn into fear, confusion, and a desperate search for answers. Families often wonder what is normal, what is a sign of suffering, and whether there is any way to emotionally prepare for what is coming.
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For Julie McFadden, a Los Angeles based registered nurse who specializes in hospice and end of life care, these questions are part of everyday life. Known online as Hospice Nurse Julie, she has made it her mission to speak openly about dying in a way that reduces fear rather than amplifies it. Through social media and long form videos, she shares real experiences from her work with patients who are often in their final weeks. Her goal, according to her website and public statements, is to alleviate “the fear and stigma around death and dying,” while helping families better understand what they are witnessing during one of life’s most emotionally charged moments.
Why Hospice Nurse Julie’s Message Resonates With So Many People
Julie McFadden has earned millions of followers across TikTok, YouTube, and other platforms by doing something many people find difficult. She talks honestly about death. She explains what happens physically, emotionally, and psychologically as life comes to an end, using calm language and real stories instead of medical jargon. Over the course of her career, she has witnessed hundreds of deaths, experiences that have shaped her belief that dying is not always chaotic or frightening.
Her approach has resonated deeply with people who are caring for dying loved ones, as well as those grappling with their own mortality. Julie often emphasizes that avoiding conversations about death can make the experience more frightening when it finally arrives. By contrast, understanding what is normal at the end of life can bring a sense of peace and preparedness to families who might otherwise feel overwhelmed.
Julie is also the author of the bestselling book “Nothing to Fear,” which expands on the themes she discusses online. In both her writing and videos, she frames death as a natural part of life rather than a failure of medicine. That perspective has helped many people reframe their fears and approach the end of life with more openness and compassion.
The One Sign She Says Often Appears Weeks Before Death
In a recent video posted to her YouTube channel, Julie revealed what she describes as one of the most common signs that someone may be nearing the end of life. She explained that there are several end of life phenomena that occur in many patients, but one particular sign tends to stand out to families when they see it for the first time.
Julie calls it the “death stare.” Despite the name, she is quick to reassure viewers that it is not a scary or painful experience for the person going through it. “If you’re not familiar with the end-of-life phenomena, there’s a few things that happen at the end of life to most people,” she explained. “One of the things is called a death stare, which is when someone gets really fixated on a certain part of the room, and no matter what you do.”
She went on to describe how striking the behavior can be. “You can snap your finger right in front of their face – an they will not move their gaze.” According to Julie, this usually begins a few weeks to a month before death and may happen repeatedly throughout the day. While it can be unsettling for loved ones, she stresses that it is a normal part of the dying process.
A Patient Story That Left a Lasting Impression
To help people understand what the death stare looks like in real life, Julie shared a story about an elderly patient she was caring for. The man and his wife were both in their mid to late 90s and had been married for 70 years. Julie described them warmly, saying, “I instantly loved these two. They were so, so, so sweet. They still seemed to be pretty madly in love.”
The patient was what Julie described as “pleasantly confused.” He recognized his wife and smiled when Julie entered the room, but he struggled to follow conversations for long periods. As Julie was checking him over, she noticed a pattern. “He would be looking at me and smiling, then suddenly turn his head and be fixated on another part of the room,” she recalled.
Each time this happened, his expression changed. He would break into what Julie described as a huge smile, as if he were seeing something that made him genuinely happy. Julie tried to regain his attention, but his gaze remained fixed elsewhere. “Sometimes they just stare. Sometimes they will talk to someone who you don’t see,” she said. “Sometimes they’ll have a big smile on their face, like they’re seeing something that’s obviously making them very happy.”
What the Patient Said He Was Seeing
Julie explained that she wanted the patient’s wife to witness what was happening because these end of life signs can help families understand where their loved one is in the dying process. “I wanted his wife to see this because a lot of times these end-of-life phenomena can kind of give you a timeline of when this person may be dying,” she told viewers. “I usually starts happening a few weeks to a month before someone dies.”
In this case, the man had been exhibiting the behavior for about a week, several times a day. Remarkably, his wife was able to ask him what he was seeing, something Julie noted does not happen often. His response was simple and direct. He said, “Jesus.”
Julie emphasized that what people see during these moments often depends on their beliefs. “Many people say they see many different things and it usually depends on what religion they are,” she explained. She added that some people see religious figures, while others describe clouds, flowers, or light. “The great thing is, whatever he was seeing, he was very happy, and he was smiling.”
End of Life Visioning and Why It Happens
In addition to the death stare, Julie says another major sign that someone may be approaching the end of life is something called end of life visioning. This phenomenon occurs when people begin seeing or interacting with loved ones who have already died. According to Julie, this is one of the most common experiences hospice workers observe.
“It’s one of the main phenomena’s that we see as healthcare workers at the end of life,” she said. Visioning may involve deceased parents, siblings, friends, spouses, or even pets. In many cases, patients will speak to these figures out loud or describe conversations taking place in the room.
Julie addressed a common misconception that these experiences are caused by lack of oxygen or confusion. “We don’t know why it happens, but we see it in definitely more than half of our patients,” she said. She also explained that most people experiencing visioning are still alert and oriented and are often weeks away from death when it begins.
A Chilling but Comforting Moment With the Patient’s Wife
As Julie continued speaking with the patient’s wife, another powerful detail emerged. The wife shared that her sister had recently passed away, but she had been hesitant to tell her husband because she did not want to upset him during such a vulnerable time. After about a week, she decided to tell him the truth.
To her surprise, he already knew. According to Julie, he calmly told his wife, “She came to me last week and told me she had died.” The man was smiling as he said it, appearing completely at peace with the knowledge.
Julie admitted that moments like this still affect her deeply. “Even though I am a hospice worker, it still always floors me hearing the stories in real time and seeing them,” she said. For her, these experiences serve as a reminder that something meaningful is happening, even if it cannot be fully explained.
What Families Should Know When They See These Signs
Experts agree that end of life visioning and the death stare are not symptoms that need to be treated or stopped, as long as they are not causing distress. Julie often encourages families to remain calm and supportive rather than trying to correct or challenge what their loved one is experiencing.
Reassuring language, quiet presence, and gentle listening can make a significant difference. Telling someone that what they are seeing is not real can cause confusion or anxiety, especially during such a sensitive time. Instead, acknowledging their emotions and allowing the moment to unfold naturally is often the most compassionate response.
Julie has said that hospice teams routinely educate families about these phenomena so they are not surprised or frightened when they occur. Understanding what is happening can transform fear into acceptance, helping families focus on connection rather than panic.
A Different Way to Think About the End of Life
Through her work, Julie McFadden continues to challenge the idea that death must be filled with terror and suffering. While dying is never easy for those left behind, she believes that education and openness can soften the experience and reduce unnecessary fear.
By talking openly about death, Julie argues that people can actually live more fully. Facing mortality head on often leads to deeper appreciation for relationships, moments, and time. It also allows families to show up more confidently for loved ones who are nearing the end.
In sharing these stories, Julie is not trying to predict death or provide a rigid timeline. Instead, she offers understanding. And for many families, understanding is the difference between fear and peace during life’s final chapter.