"Will I ever see you again?"
When people utter this phrase to the dying-ask yourself-why does it matter? It would only matter if there was a God, for where else and why else would you have any emotions?
And ye now therefore have sorrow:
but I will see you again,
and your heart shall
rejoice,
and your joy no man taketh from you.
John 16:22
Signs of approaching death
Increased Confusion
The brain is affected as the other organs begin to shut down. Your loved one may seem confused as to time and place and may not be able to recognize people whom they already know. The person may be completely lucid one minute and then drift into a state of confusion. Remember to be reassuring and to identify yourself and others as they enter the room.
Increased Need for Sleep
As the metabolism of the body slows down, the person will begin to sleep for most of the day.
Noisy, Labored Breathing
You may notice a change in breathing rates, such as the person breathing very fast followed by a period of slow breathing. One type of breathing pattern is called Cheyne-Stokes, which is a long deep breath and then a period of no breathing for up to one minute before breathing starts again.
Coolness in Hands and Feet
Eventually, the blood starts to centralize, meaning that the blood stops circulating to the hands and feet, and stays in the central part of the body to better support the failing vital organs.