You may be proud, wise, and fine, but death will wipe you off the face of the earth as though you were no more than mice burrowing under the floor, and your posterity, your history, your immortal geniuses will burn or freeze together with the earthly globe. ... Their eyes and mouth open; They cannot be awakened . This process can take longer (approximately 3 hours) but, because many people die with their eyes open, the process often occurs in this time frame. Is there anything I can do to help? I think that's why her eyes were partially open also. Psalm 25:19 Their eyes may often be half open, which can be distressing to see. What does a dying person look like in the hours to minutes before death? Sometimes the eyes … And when we open our eyes, we will hardly believe what is before them. This usually occurs within the last few days of life. Death is the true inspiring genius, or the muse of philosophy… Psalm 9:13 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, thou that liftest me up from the gates of death:. The eyes of these patients may tear on their own; however, frequently the eyes become dry and blood shot. Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; Consider. Saying goodbye to a loved one can be hard to do, but learning about what to expect from the dying process can make it easier for you to care for them as they leave the earth. Anton Chekhov. Death is something we all must face, but for many people the dying process is shrouded in mystery. For those of us who know Christ personally, even when our eyes close in death, God says we are asleep. At some point, they may not open them again. It's important to know that in these final stages, the person may close their eyes often. Some are closed. If they are asleep, as my mother was, the eyes will open slightly due to muscle relaxation. It made me smile because it was such a visual for me of, “dying with my eyes wide open.” Ring is doing just that, last I heard. ... "Laugh in life, laugh at death—and in the face of death, if you can manage it," said Ring. “Dying With Eyes Wide Open” <= that phrase landed on my heart like a lead weight and it wouldn’t shake as the day unfolded. At time of death, nearly the same, no clouding etc. The eyeballs flatten due to loss of blood pressure. I noticed his eyes changing at the onset of hospice nearly a year ago, eyes went from blue to dull grey, never returned to blue. One set of research suggests our brains continue to work for 10 minutes after death, while this terminally ill violinist thinks he's seen the afterlife in one of his 17 near-death experiences. Generally they are non responsive, their eyes are partially open, the skin color is palish often with a yellowish or bluish tint, and the skin is cool to cold to the touch. Of course, not all patient's eyes are open. However, for the fixed stare, eye care is important to ensure comfort. As they may still be able to hear you, take the opportunity to say the things that are important to you both. IF you happen to have your eyes open at the moment of death, I think they stay open until someone closes them … Some forensic scientists believe this clouding of the eye can be a better indication of the time of death than rigor mortis and livor mortis. The odor mentioned in another post: There has been a persistent odor, not foul, but not pleasant either and it was not from cleaning agents or clothing. Part 2. That evening I met with a friend for dinner and she talked about picking up our cross and following Jesus. Some may be part-way to fully open. Open your mind (and heart).