It is not uncommon for a terminally ill person to shed tears or cry in their final days or moments before death. There are several reasons why this may occur.
Physical Causes
As death approaches, the body begins to shut down. This process can cause physical changes that result in tears.
- Build up of fluids – As organs begin to fail, fluids can accumulate and be released through tears.
- Hormone changes – Alterations in hormones as the body declines can trigger excess tear production.
- Medications – Certain medications used at end of life may cause increased lacrimation (tear production).
- Decreased blink rate – People near death may blink less, causing tears to overflow.
- Eye irritation – Conditions like conjunctivitis may cause irritation and tear production.
Emotional Causes
In addition to physical factors, crying at end of life often stems from emotional origins.
- Grief – Knowledge of impending death triggers great grief that finds expression through tears.
- Fear – Apprehension or anxiety about death is common and may result in crying.
- Unfinished business – Regret over unresolved issues or goodbyes can cause tears.
- Letting go – Releasing attachments to loved ones and accepting mortality leads to crying.
- Relief – Some terminally ill feel a sense of relief at the end, leading to tearful catharsis.
Social Causes
The social context of death also influences lacrimation at end of life.
- Loss of connection – Distance from loved ones can trigger loneliness and tears.
- Witnessing grief – Seeing loved ones grieve may bring about sympathetic tears.
- Parting words – Exchanging heartfelt goodbyes with family often involves mutual crying.
- Comfort – Tears may provide comfort to the dying person and their loved ones.
- Shared emotion – Crying together with others creates social bonding and meaning.
Spiritual Causes
Spiritual beliefs and experiences frequently play a role in tears at end of life.
- Soul release – Some believe tears mark the soul departing the body.
- Divine encounter – Crying may signify a mystical experience of the divine.
- Afterlife hopes – Tears express hope of reuniting with loved ones after death.
- Life review – Reviewing and summarizing one’s life can be tearful.
- Sense of meaning – Finding meaning in death can lead to poignant but peaceful tears.
When Death is Unexpected
Sudden or premature loss of life may preclude tears at the actual moment of death. However, crying often occurs among loved ones as they grieve the unexpected nature of the death.
Cultural and Individual Differences
Attitudes about crying at end of life differ by culture and personality.
- Some cultures see crying as a sign of fear or disturbance at the time of death.
- Other cultures interpret tears at death as the person’s spirit leaving the body.
- Certain personalities are more stoic and less likely to overtly cry when dying.
- Expressive individuals are more prone to crying readily at end of life.
Despite differences, crying appears across cultures and personality types at end of life. The universality suggests a shared human experience of mortality.
Children and Crying Before Death
Terminally ill children tend to cry less directly before death than adults. Possible reasons include:
- Limited understanding of death.
- Shorter illness duration.
- Focus on immediate needs like hunger or pain.
- Use of alternative coping mechanisms like play or distraction.
- Reliance on parental support and attachment.
However, children certainly grieve impending loss. Crying may manifest during the overall illness rather than the final hour.
Conclusion
Crying before imminent death has complex physical, emotional, social, and spiritual roots. While the reasons vary by individual, crying often signifies grief, fear, or letting go. Tears hold deep meaning for the dying and their loved ones. Despite mixed perspectives on the act of crying itself, the universality of tears at life’s end points to a shared humanity. Whether sudden or expected, the end of life evokes profound emotion and release that find expression through lacrimation.