It's human nature to take things and sometimes even people for granted. Sometimes we don't learn to appreciate the moments we have with our loved ones until it is too late, but the following death bed photos will remind you to tell them all "I love you" each time you say goodbye - because you never know if it will be the last time.

This heart-wrenching collection of sad pictures are the last images taken of people's loved ones before their deaths. Some of the deaths were more expected, such as those diagnosed with cancer; while other deaths, like those from a car accident, caught their family and friends by complete surprise causing insurmountable amounts of grief. Scroll down below to see the last beautiful photos taken in loving memory of those who have since left us and remember to hold your next of kin extra close. Upvote the images and the sad stories that touched your heart the most.

#1

My 96-Year-Old Grandma, With My 100-Year-Old Grandpa, Hours Before Her Death. 77 Years Of Marriage

My 96-Year-Old Grandma, With My 100-Year-Old Grandpa, Hours Before Her Death. 77 Years Of Marriage

RealLiveGirl Report

#2

The Final Picture Of My Cousin Gary, Taken On September 11, 2001

The Final Picture Of My Cousin Gary, Taken On September 11, 2001

limmense Report

MasterOfSlimez
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He was a good friend of mine, Gary Box. He was working for Squad 1. He was one of the bravest men I ever knew.

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#3

A Week Before My Grandfather Passed Away, I Snuck His Favorite Beer Into The Nursing Home For Him

A Week Before My Grandfather Passed Away, I Snuck His Favorite Beer Into The Nursing Home For Him

It was his last beer ever

ksmitttyy Report

Hi, Its Inna
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We need more people like you who visit their family in nursing homes- May he rest in peace.

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#4

My Good Friend Bear Telling His Son And Daughter Goodbye. He Died The Next Evening From Pancreatic Cancer

My Good Friend Bear Telling His Son And Daughter Goodbye. He Died The Next Evening From Pancreatic Cancer

hj4life21 Report

Hans
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In an ocean of sad picture, this is the one touching me most.

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#5

Shortly After My Mother Passed Away I Decided To Look Up Her House On Google Earth

Shortly After My Mother Passed Away I Decided To Look Up Her House On Google Earth

That's her. Still gives me chills

peanutbutterfish23 Report

Rebeca Lozada
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a very similar story. My grandfather passed away last year, He would write his own songs and sing them on our porch. So I searched up our old house and there he was with his guitar playing on their porch

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#6

Dying Father Fulfills Last Wish To Walk Daughter Down The Aisle On Her Wedding Day

Dying Father Fulfills Last Wish To Walk Daughter Down The Aisle On Her Wedding Day

He passed away 5 days after

Law Tapalla Photography Report

Hi, Its Inna
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh gosh- this one just gets me. sometimes we forget that not only are we growing older- but out beloved mum and dad are too. <3

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#7

Last Pictures I Found Recently Of My Dad On His Old Tablet

Last Pictures I Found Recently Of My Dad On His Old Tablet

Thankfully, they're all pictures of him being the goofy guy he was when he was alive

EvanWiorek Report

#8

Last Photo Taken Of My Older Brother As He Was Leaving For College

Last Photo Taken Of My Older Brother As He Was Leaving For College

He was the victim of a drinking and driving incident. I miss him every day

Charpybro Report

#9

After 69 Years Of Marriage

After 69 Years Of Marriage

My grandpa was extremely attentive to my grandma up until her last breath. We lay her to rest on Monday at the age of 95

moosetta Report

Hi, Its Inna
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

May you all find peace. Just looking at all these pictures are bringing me to tears.

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#10

My Little Brother (17) Was Shot A Few Weeks Ago And This Is The Last Pic I Took With Him

My Little Brother (17) Was Shot A Few Weeks Ago And This Is The Last Pic I Took With Him

This was Christmas morning. I feel weird sharing this but I'm just so heartbroken

DeadOnceDecided Report

#11

Last Image Of Thai Diver Saman Kunan

Last Image Of Thai Diver Saman Kunan

He was transferring oxygen tanks for 12 boys and their coach, who were trapped in a cave. He got into difficulties and did not have enough air himself. He died after losing consciousness in one of the passageways

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Hi, Its Inna
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

heartbreaking- he's a hero to those gentlemen I bet

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#12

A Father Comforts His Son, David Kirby, On His Deathbed In Ohio, 1989

A Father Comforts His Son, David Kirby, On His Deathbed In Ohio, 1989

It is widely considered the photo that changed the face of AIDS

Therese Frare Report

bob
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one really got me... I don't think I can look at more of these...

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#13

My Beautiful Mom Before She Rapidly Deteriorated From A Giloblastoma

My Beautiful Mom Before She Rapidly Deteriorated From A Giloblastoma

She walked into brain surgery with a smile on her face and it inspires me to always keep smiling even through hard times

ihatecartoons Report

David Gilbert
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reminds me of my own mother...wish I had that strength and humour when my time comes.

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#14

A Woman Battling Breast Cancer Married The Love Of Her Life

A Woman Battling Breast Cancer Married The Love Of Her Life

On December 22, just 18 hours before passing away. The couple had a ceremony at a hospital chapel in Connecticut

Christina Lee Karas Report

glowworm2
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh man, that must be the worst though. They finally got married--and then he lost her.

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#15

My Dad Passed Away Yesterday. Just Last Week He Was In China Traveling And Met A Panda

My Dad Passed Away Yesterday. Just Last Week He Was In China Traveling And Met A Panda

Although this is one of the last photos of him, it is my favorite

Thegreatmaximus Report

Desiré Yen
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Awww that's Amazing that one of his last encounters was with a panda!!!

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#16

My Best Friend At My Wedding. By The Time Our Reception Was Over He Was Considered Brain Dead

My Best Friend At My Wedding. By The Time Our Reception Was Over He Was Considered Brain Dead

I’m sure you can find out which one he was. He didn't say a word about feeling weird but when we arrived he got an Uber and rode home. He had a random brain bleed that could not be operated

kaytoos Report

Ntosh
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, this made me sad. Made me think of how short and how unpredictable life is.

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#17

Two Engineers Died When The Windmill They Were Working On Caught Fire. This Might Be The Last Picture Of Them

Two Engineers Died When The Windmill They Were Working On Caught Fire. This Might Be The Last Picture Of Them

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#18

My Grandfather Just Passed Minutes Ago. This Was Taken Yesterday

My Grandfather Just Passed Minutes Ago. This Was Taken Yesterday

My grandma sat by his side like this for days. He escaped the Nazis, jumped a ship to the US. He suffered lung cancer from working in coal mines through his childhood

Mrsrhea Report

Lotte
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How such an eventful and special life can come down to this heartbreaking moment

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#19

I Made The Last Photo I Took Of My Mom Into A Tattoo

I Made The Last Photo I Took Of My Mom Into A Tattoo

Hockeygirl1974 Report

#20

Last Picture Of My Husband Hugging Our Oldest Daughter

Last Picture Of My Husband Hugging Our Oldest Daughter

Taken days before he died of cardiac arrest during a seizure. I'll miss him more than I can ever explain

NoTequila_NoAnal Report

#21

The Last Pictures I Ever Took Of My Mom

The Last Pictures I Ever Took Of My Mom

For her 60th birthday I surprised her with a chessboard cake, which she loved. A couple months later, she suddenly went into a coma on Christmas and never woke up

snailbutterflysnake Report

Shadow Waffle
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love how when it's turned around you see the words "wow" That seems really sweet to me

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#22

My Dad In Home Hospice Care Last Week With His Cat Brady. Lost His Fight Thursday Afternoon

My Dad In Home Hospice Care Last Week With His Cat Brady. Lost His Fight Thursday Afternoon

dcknight93 Report

#23

Photographer Captures A Photo Of The Mortar That Kills Her

Photographer Captures A Photo Of The Mortar That Kills Her

Hilda Clayton Report

Nadja Lambacher
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Clayton took the picture during a live-fire training exercise on 2 July 2013 in Laghman Province, Afghanistan. The blast also killed four Afghan national army soldiers. One of them was a photojournalist Clayton had partnered with to train.

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#24

This Is The Last Picture I Took Of My Husband When I Dropped Him Off At The Airport

This Is The Last Picture I Took Of My Husband When I Dropped Him Off At The Airport

4 days later he was found dead in his hotel room. I have no answers, my daughter has lost her father, and I am trying my best to pick up the pieces

tonightasyousleep Report

Ntosh
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Was it murder or suicide? It was not a good idea going through these pictures. I have not been feeling well these past days. I am sad, crying, binge eating and have minor panic attacks daily and I don't know what is causing this, I have never felt like this before. Going through these posts is making me want to cry and feel more sad.

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#25

Last Photo Of My Grandfather, He Passed Away A Couple Of Days Ago. The Doctor Was A Falconer And Brought His Falcon To The Hospital

Last Photo Of My Grandfather, He Passed Away A Couple Of Days Ago. The Doctor Was A Falconer And Brought His Falcon To The Hospital

reddit.com Report

#26

My Grandma Shows Off With Her Preparations For Guests. Exactly 9 Minutes Before We Called An Ambulance

My Grandma Shows Off With Her Preparations For Guests. Exactly 9 Minutes Before We Called An Ambulance

sarper361 Report

#27

My Dad Passed Away From A Brain Tumor. It Was The Last Time I Saw Him

My Dad Passed Away From A Brain Tumor. It Was The Last Time I Saw Him

This photo was taken the day I went back to university. He died 3 days later

Cherublade Report

lunanoir69
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dad had some bleeding from his blood thinners and was taken to the hospital. I was due to leave for a work conference in a day or two. My best friend and I went to see him the night before and he was doing great. They were going to send him home in a couple of days. The last thing I said was " I love you, dad, just don't die while I'm gone!" He laughed and said he wasn't going to do that. 2 days later, I woke up in my hotel room to someone pounding on my door at 5 am. It was my supervisor, crying, to tell me that my dad had died from an embolism to the lung and that she had me on the next flight home. It was my 39th birthday. Always tell people that you love them because you never know when it will be the last time you ever get to say it to them...

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#28

This Is The Last Pic I Have Of My Dad And I, Taken On Christmas Day This Year

This Is The Last Pic I Have Of My Dad And I, Taken On Christmas Day This Year

He lost his 14 month battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer today

HERMANNATOR85 Report

#29

The Last Image Of My Best Friend Tara (24) And Her Sister Pippa (21)

The Last Image Of My Best Friend Tara (24) And Her Sister Pippa (21)

Taken at the end of a 3-month trip around Morocco. They both died a day later in a car accident, as they started their journey back home to the UK for their mum's birthday

awlilnatty Report

NoYFB
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Poor mom, can't imagine losing two daughters. :(

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#30

My Brother (Left) Took His Life Earlier This Month

My Brother (Left) Took His Life Earlier This Month

This is the last photo of us together, perfectly describing the relationship we had

PinkGameboy Report

Well Hello There
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Depression can do lots of horrible things to a person, and as a depressed person, I know the feeling. Luckily, my friends and family are helping me get over it.

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#31

A Woman At My Work Passed Away Last Saturday From Cancer

A Woman At My Work Passed Away Last Saturday From Cancer

When my boss picked up her work phone yesterday she had deleted all of its content except for this picture

grapeormelon Report

#32

This Is The Last Picture Of My Brother And I, Taken Days Before He Was Murdered This February

This Is The Last Picture Of My Brother And I, Taken Days Before He Was Murdered This February

He was only 17. I miss him terribly

itssydneyy Report

#33

The Last Image I Ever Had With My Grandma Was This Hilarious Face-Swap

The Last Image I Ever Had With My Grandma Was This Hilarious Face-Swap

krispycummies Report

Desiré Yen
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Definitely a photo to frame. Made me smile!

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#34

Last Picture I Took Of My Dad, 2 Weeks Before He Was Diagnosed With Lung Cancer

Last Picture I Took Of My Dad, 2 Weeks Before He Was Diagnosed With Lung Cancer

My cat and dog loved him. He died 4 months after

theycallmedumpling Report

#35

My Parents Quietly Talking After My Dad's Giloblastoma Diagnosis

My Parents Quietly Talking After My Dad's Giloblastoma Diagnosis

Tomorrow we put my sweet father to rest. Love you forever dad

Maggiemygirl Report

#36

My Dad In Intensive Care. He Died Of Liver Failure Shortly After This

My Dad In Intensive Care. He Died Of Liver Failure Shortly After This

He was always up for a laugh right to the end, his favourite saying was ‘fat but good looking’

caldog1991 Report

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#37

My Father, SFC Shawn Dostie, Holding Up Pictures Of My Sister And I

My Father, SFC Shawn Dostie, Holding Up Pictures Of My Sister And I

We sent him our photos for Christmas. He died just six days after this photo was taken

Otterrpog Report

Don Flynn
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

such loss... I am truly sorry for this...

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#38

My Dad, In The Hospital Dying Of Emphysema, Reading An Anti-Smoking Pamphlet I Made Him When I Was A Kid

My Dad, In The Hospital Dying Of Emphysema, Reading An Anti-Smoking Pamphlet I Made Him When I Was A Kid

CharmingtheCobra Report

Kjorn
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

that is the most powerfull message you can send to people. he must be devastated to realise that if he listen to his boy he could still be alive

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#39

This Is The Last Photo I Have Of My Pop

This Is The Last Photo I Have Of My Pop

He just passed away after turning 97. I never said goodbye

aparadisestill Report

Hans
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am wondeirng if it always is desirable to be able to say goodbye. We do not know the background, but this looks like one happy memory that will last.

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#40

My Best Friend (Left) And Myself For Our Last Ride Together

My Best Friend (Left) And Myself For Our Last Ride Together

Two weeks after that day we got mugged and he died knifed to the heart

PacoVelobs Report

#41

The Last Moments Of Claire Wineland Before She Went Into Surgery For A 2x Lung Transplant

The Last Moments Of Claire Wineland Before She Went Into Surgery For A 2x Lung Transplant

Sugarcola Report

Carlota Ocón
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The way she talked about her illness and death really helped a lot of people. Bless her heart

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#42

My Granddaddy Passed Away Tonight At The Age Of 91

My Granddaddy Passed Away Tonight At The Age Of 91

This was a few months ago, after he got his new wheelchair. This is how I will remember him: happy and full of life

tony_flamingo Report

Carlota Ocón
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He seems like a really nice guy, he has a lot of kindness in his eyes, sorry for your loss. <3

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#43

Geologist David A. Johnston, 13 Hours Before His Death At The 1980 Eruption Of Mount St. Helens

Geologist David A. Johnston, 13 Hours Before His Death At The 1980 Eruption Of Mount St. Helens

Harry Glicken Report

#44

My Son's Last Photo - Died 5 Minutes Later Due To Shallow Water Black Out

My Son's Last Photo - Died 5 Minutes Later Due To Shallow Water Black Out

fdnyubergeek Report

Laura Pantazis
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank you to the poster for sharing this difficult story. I had never heard of this condition and looked it up. Sometimes I swim laps and will be breathing hard after laps, take a moment break, and then hold my breath as long as I can while I do more laps. I didn't realize that could be dangerous since I was so close to the surface.

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#45

My Mother, Easter Of 1986. Hospitalized With Terminal Cancer

My Mother, Easter Of 1986. Hospitalized With Terminal Cancer

She died in July but this was the last time she let herself to be photographed (I was 2 and a half)

Mamanomie Report

Agatha Mercieca
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I too was abput 2.5 years old in 1986. Crying

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#46

The Last Photo I Have Of My Grandma (And Mom, After A Long Night Of Drinks)

The Last Photo I Have Of My Grandma (And Mom, After A Long Night Of Drinks)

She passed in November after a very brief battle with lung cancer. She was 63. I'm thankful for memories like these

boogiemaths Report

GiveMeASloth
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Goes to show you a mother's love doesn't matter how old their babies are. You will always want to hold them no matter how big they are.

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#47

Anthony Bourdain In Hong Kong, The Final Picture Of Himself On Twitter

Anthony Bourdain In Hong Kong, The Final Picture Of Himself On Twitter

Bourdain Report

Hi, Its Inna
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love you, Anthony- You were one of the people who helped me try other cultures food! you were never afraid to try new things, and to just be yourself. RIL

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#48

Last Photo Of Friend Who Fell 25 Feet To His Death

Last Photo Of Friend Who Fell 25 Feet To His Death

throwawaybcfkarma Report

#49

This Is The Last Instagram Post By Famous Violinist Lindsey Stirling's Keyboardist, Jason Gaviati

This Is The Last Instagram Post By Famous Violinist Lindsey Stirling's Keyboardist, Jason Gaviati

He was diagnosed with burkitt's lymphoma and passed away on Nov 21st

imgavi Report

Kate.Rodriguez 2022
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

one day before that it was my birthday...so sorry.... I bet he was a good guy

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