Don't Fear the Reaper

I was nursing my friend who had definite views that there was no afterlife. In her last couple of hours she became very peaceful and arose from her unconsciousness periodically, saying clearly and happily such phrases as 'I will know soon', 'Come on, get on with it then, I am ready to go now', and 'It is so beautiful'. She would immediately lapse back into unconsciousness after uttering these phrases. She was very obviously content, happy and at peace. It was a wonderful experience for her partner and me. (p. 27)

He was going unconscious. When I looked at him, he was looking fixedly at something in front of him. A smile of recognition spread slowly over his face, as if he was greeting someone. Then he relaxed peacefully and died. (p. 29)

I said, 'Are you sure you were not dreaming?', to which she replied, 'I know a dream from what I have been seeing.' She seemed very happy and would say little more, although I felt the experience had a particularly calming effect on her... (p. 28)

My brother was in hospital dying from emphysema. His breathing was very laboured, when all of a sudden he stopped and his breathing suddenly appeared normal. He looked at about 45 degrees upwards and smiled broadly, as if at something or someone: he turned to me and died suddenly in my arms. I am positive to this day that he wanted to tell me what he had seen. Those few seconds before he died will live with me for ever, it was so powerful. (p. 29)

From "The Art of Dying" by Peter Fenwick, a british neuro-psychiatrist