A hospice nurse has shed light on the 'smell of death', attributing it to two specific gases released during decomposition. End-of-life care specialist Julie explained that putrescine and cadaverine are responsible for the distinctive odour often noticed by loved ones in a person's final days.
These gases are produced when bacteria break down the amino acids ornithine and lysine. Julie described the smell as unforgettable and incredibly unpleasant, with many saying it is unlike anything they have experienced before.
While commonly associated with the deceased, some individuals report detecting this odour on those nearing death. Hospice UK notes that metabolic changes in the dying can cause breath, skin, and body fluids to emit a smell similar to nail polish remover, particularly strong in cases of bowel or stomach cancer.
Other end-of-life signs include the 'death rattle', a crackling, wet noise caused by fluid buildup in the throat. This sound often indicates that death is imminent, typically within a day, and can be distressing for family members.
