Waiting till DS leaves room before passing away

[sarinha2203]

My dad in law sadly passed away this afternoon...myself and my husband had been there all day with him, comforting him, talking to him etc. My sister in law and niece arrived 2 hours or so before he passed away. Myself and my husband left to pick up our DS1 from school and just after we left my dad in law passed away. How strange that he waited until we left before he "let go". Some people say dying people wait until people leave the room before they take the last breath. Anyone know why this might be?

Firstly I'd just like to offer my condolences to you and your family, it must be a very difficult time for you all.

I think that sometimes the dying do wait to say goodbye before they go. I've known some people wait til after Christmas too. Also known people to pass away after their visitors have left. (am a nurse by the way!)

To balance it though I've experienced people die with relatives in the room/ on Mothers day/ on life support etc.

I honestly can't explain why it seems to happen only thing I can think of is that they are at peace after seeing their loved ones and so can move on. I hope that you can get some comfort knowing that you all said goodbye to him. Take care of yourselves during these dark days.

My deepest condolences x

Big love

My father in law did exactly the same. Waited till he was alone and passed away. The nurse says it is quite common.

Hope you and yours have lots of love in the next few weeks

Un MN hugs.

DH's grandma died on Wednesday. She had been ill for weeks, in a nursing home for years and lonely and miserable for 25 years since her husband died. She was a stubborn old bird though. She was 90 0n Monday and I really think she was hanging on for her 90th before letting go.

I don't know who was with her when she went though.

Take care.

Thanks everyone. I have read about this and apparently it is quite normal for this to happen. My condolences to those who recently lost loved ones too...

Sorry to hear your news.

My Dad did this. We'd been up from about four in the morning as the Marie Curie nurse thought he would go shortly. We stayed at his bedside until lunchtime when we sat at the other end of the room and had something to eat. He slipped away then. The nurses said it often happens like that.

my grandad did too - he waited until me and sis had been to visit and then he went.

my thoughts are with you xxx