After years at the bedside of patients in their final days, hospice physician Dr. Christopher Kerr noticed a remarkable pattern – when the end of life comes, many do not hold on to fear. Instead, they often express final words and experiences that are surprisingly calm, meaningful, and deeply human.
Dr. Kerr, who has cared for thousands of patients at Hospice & Palliative Care Buffalo, has researched more than 1,500 end-of-life cases. His work reveals that dying is not just a medical event, but a profound psychological and emotional process that changes the way people see life itself.
Finding peace at the end of life
Instead of fear, many patients experience reflection and reconciliation.
“It naturally draws you inward,” Dr. Kerr explained. “There’s reflection, and often people focus on the best points of having lived and having mattered. And that’s usually our relationships.”
His research shows that patients frequently experience vivid dreams or visions. These often include reunions with loved ones or reliving meaningful life events, providing a sense of comfort and closure.
Continue reading on next page…