50 Photos Taken Before People’s Death That Show Why You Shouldn’t Take Your Loved Ones For Granted
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 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 photos 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. Scroll down below to see the last beautiful photos taken of those who have since left us and remember to hold those dear to you extra close. Upvote the image that touched your heart the most.
This post may include affiliate links.
My 96-Year-Old Grandma, With My 100-Year-Old Grandpa, Hours Before Her Death. 77 Years Of Marriage
The Final Picture Of My Cousin Gary, Taken On September 11, 2001
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.
A Week Before My Grandfather Passed Away, I Snuck His Favorite Beer Into The Nursing Home For Him
It was his last beer ever
We need more people like you who visit their family in nursing homes- May he rest in peace.
My Good Friend Bear Telling His Son And Daughter Goodbye. He Died The Next Evening From Pancreatic Cancer
Shortly After My Mother Passed Away I Decided To Look Up Her House On Google Earth
That's her. Still gives me chills
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
Dying Father Fulfills Last Wish To Walk Daughter Down The Aisle On Her Wedding Day
He passed away 5 days after
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
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
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
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
May you all find peace. Just looking at all these pictures are bringing me to tears.
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
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
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
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
Reminds me of my own mother...wish I had that strength and humour when my time comes.
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
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
Awww that's Amazing that one of his last encounters was with a panda!!!
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
Two Engineers Died When The Windmill They Were Working On Caught Fire. This Might Be The Last Picture Of Them
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
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
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
I love how when it's turned around you see the words "wow" That seems really sweet to me
My Dad In Home Hospice Care Last Week With His Cat Brady. Lost His Fight Thursday Afternoon
Photographer Captures A Photo Of The Mortar That Kills Her
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.
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
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.
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
My Grandma Shows Off With Her Preparations For Guests. Exactly 9 Minutes Before We Called An Ambulance
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
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...
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
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
My Brother (Left) Took His Life Earlier This Month
This is the last photo of us together, perfectly describing the relationship we had
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.
It's hard to read about the suicide, in six years I lost six friends in for were suicide. The Last Suicide was last year and it was the most gruesome. Our friendship had gone South 20 years earlier but I never lost my love. I even dreamed about him last night and I cry every so often even right now. I just want this life to be over with so I can start the next
Load More Replies...
He's so beautiful. It breaks my heart to think that someone could ever feel so badly to want to do that. Stay strong my friend.
That’s so unfortunate. So many of us have felt depressed like that and got to come out of it eventually. It sucks that others don’t get to get a second chance. He didn’t deserve what happened to him.
Once, there were train delays because someone had thrown themselves in front of one to commit suicide. All I heard from the passengers was shit like "fucking hell, why do they have to do that, I'm fucking late, why do they have to inconvenience other people?" It astounded me. People in that extreme mental state don't even value their own lives enough and you think they're worried about your shift at the office?! It was disgusting. They're thinking about being slightly inconvenienced, well imagine being that person's mother and having to hear that news. I don't think most people realise the state of mind you would have to be in to go through with suicide. There is no rational thought or reason, just focus on ending it.
Load More Replies...
Depression is a ticking bomb. Suffering from major depression myself it takes all my willpower not to end my life day in day out. The hopelessness, the darkness, the sadness, the absolute apathy for living is so great that one does not know how much longer one will be able to take it. Battling for 40 years but it looks like this time I am losing the battle. This last bout started in August and it's relentless, every day is agony. Sorry for your loss. The only reason I am still here is because I think: I cannot do this to my only sister and my partner, but as said, it is taking all of my strenght not to finish once and for all. But I promised that I would wait until my time comes...I hope to be able to keep that promise
I was diagnosed with Bi-Polar, PTSD, OCD, and at least 1 other thing. I looked for and found help, my psychiatrist. Before I found him I was living in a deep dark hole with no way out. Because of him, and a friend who I met around the same time, I was able to get through it. You don't "get over it" with depression, but with help, you can get through it and keep moving forward. It took a while for me to realize that I do have people I love who would be devastated if I killed myself. Plus there's my Baby, she's the best little dog in the whole world and she cries when I'm not with her. Also, I have a huge garden and at least 30-35 indoor plants that would die without me. I look back at certain moments and wonder, how in the hell did I make it through that? My best friend died of an accidental overdose about 12 years ago. My new friend (of almost 4 years now), she was diagnosed with cancer about a year ago. LIVE YOUR LIFE!!!! YOU ARE HERE FOR A REASON!!
Load More Replies...
Depression is a monster that is hard to deal with, I am so sorry for your loss
I am so deeply sorry to hear of this. Its heartbreaking when depression takes over. its so silent yet so deadly, sometimes, the lack of showing depression is the most fatal. Know you and your family did everything right. you were not responsible for his death. I have a family who could care less if I die. In fact, they have said this. Just seeing how much you loved him and, the fact you care enough to post this, shows true love.
I lost my best friend in Nov 2016, i went to his house and found him hanging from the attic hatch, it sucked and at my age i won't ever have a best friend like that again. So sorry for your loss dude, life is shit sometimes.
My cousin died this way. I still cry whenever something reminds me of him.
the inner sadness in him...must have been difficult for him to reach out. Longing to belong, knowing he was loved, yet held back by the depression. If you could, you would have done anything to keep him here, but it was his decision and his emotional pain that overcame that love.
Suicide is so devastating. As a person who has tried Suicide twice in my life, I send out my heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
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
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
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
My Parents Quietly Talking After My Dad's Giloblastoma Diagnosis
Tomorrow we put my sweet father to rest. Love you forever dad
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’
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
My Dad, In The Hospital Dying Of Emphysema, Reading An Anti-Smoking Pamphlet I Made Him When I Was A Kid
This Is The Last Photo I Have Of My Pop
He just passed away after turning 97. I never said goodbye
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
The Last Moments Of Claire Wineland Before She Went Into Surgery For A 2x Lung Transplant
The way she talked about her illness and death really helped a lot of people. Bless her heart
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
He seems like a really nice guy, he has a lot of kindness in his eyes, sorry for your loss. <3
Geologist David A. Johnston, 13 Hours Before His Death At The 1980 Eruption Of Mount St. Helens
My Son's Last Photo - Died 5 Minutes Later Due To Shallow Water Black Out
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.
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)
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
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.
Anthony Bourdain In Hong Kong, The Final Picture Of Himself On Twitter
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
Last Photo Of Friend Who Fell 25 Feet To His Death
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
one day before that it was my birthday...so sorry.... I bet he was a good guy
Life is a beautiful, complicated, frustrating, mysterious, amazing thing. Cherish every moment.
What strikes me is, how different i feel about deaths caused by illness and deaths caused by someone(murders, or neglect killing). The world is shitty enough with unpredictable deaths(brain bleed, MI, etc) and long-fought-and-lost battles (cancer). How can anyone it is alright to take other's life. Like that tourist that was strangled in Panama, or guy that died in shooting. What the f*ck is wrong with people !!!
Maybe they never suffered and do not understand the importance of life (I'm fighting against cancer). This world could be way better.
This one makes sense. To feel empathy, you need to know pain yourself. But, on the other hand, if violence and pain is all you've ever known, you will simply know no better way. It's all about balance, in the end. Sadly, not all children have access to responsible parents. Having said that, I totally agree, what an asshole can you be to decide who lives and who dies, who do you think you are? Unless, of course, it was for self-defense (which is, again, a situation caused by violence to start with) or if mental illness is involved, making the killer literally unable to control themselves (in which case it's still not justified, but it's a problem that needs to be tackled with different kinds of measures).
I hope and pray, you WIN!!.
Your question of what is wrong with people prompted my reply...most individuals think only of themselves...literally cannot perceive another's point of view...it's a society of narcissistic sociopaths...me, me, me...everyone is programmed be media to eat more...drink more...buy more... obey and consume, consume, consume faster, faster, faster...I empathize with the pain suffered when lived ones die...humanity takes no responsibilty for anything...destroying our planet..our Home...extinctions have occurred in the past and when the Earth is rid of its cancer of humanity only then can our planet be at peace...what is wrong with people is that they exist...
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
What about the people who died for a photo or a selfie? I have trouble having sympathy for that. Sad for their families, etc, but could have been prevented.
I'm so happy to be alive
Your comment makes me so happy.
Me too. What a gift.
Well, we're happy you're alive, too.
I’m very envious of your statement.
Let yourself be happy
After getting cancer, I don't take for granted even one single day of my own life.
When I someday leave this world...I hope the children born in my lifetime find it to be a better place than I found it.
I have two photos of my niece on my phone. One of her on Halloween with her kids right before she went to the hospital and 4 days later with her husband holding her hand as she passes away due to cancer. I hold both photos so close to my heart I'll never give them up. Because of her I eat that slice of cake, say I love you when I feel like it, and take a deep breath every day at least once.
So very sorry for your loss. I've looked at all the pictures and read everyone's comments - even the trollish crappy ones, and your post resonated with me the most. {hugs}.
I shouldn’t have clicked on this. This one is too soon for me.
I got the last photo I made of my nephew framed. He died when a cerebral aneurysma ripped, when he was just 2 1/2 years old :-(
These pictures are so strong... I had to hold my tears bc I´m at work but... God you know what I mean. Life so short and we love to waste it! Thank you I still have my mom and sisters close...
All of these photo’s are so touching. I too have pictures from moments right before close ones passing away. My best friend not long before passing from Leukemia when we were 13 (this month 16 years ago). My favorite aunt when she was 57 (2 years and and 8 months ago), about 30 minutes before she passed away due to 3 diseases at the same time. Those final pictures I have are so sad but beautiful at the same time. I don’t hold on much to materialistic things of people close to me who have passed away. But photo’s and memories of them (healthy and/or sick) are some of my most precious treasures.
A few examples of photo’s: very sad photo’s of my best friend, hooked up on machines and a breathing mask. But also beautiful photo’s when she was still healthy. A heartwarming picture of my aunt and cousin holding hands, a photo of just their hands, not too long before her passing. My aunt (same aunt) in her hospital bed: My uncle on one side, my cousin on the other. My aunt stroking my cousins cheek. Not even 30 minutes before her passing. I am glad I was there for the final goodbyes. A few weeks before when I visited her, she could not even move a muscle. The day she passed away, when I came into the hospital room, she looked at me for a straight minute, just smiling at me. I miss them, and other passed away close ones (too many unfortunately) who have passed so much.
Photos are a wonderful way to capture them forever. I have a photo of my father I took of us on Christmas Day last year. We spoke two days before he died of a heart attack in his sleep six months later. I always made him say "I love you," for this exact reason. You just never know it maybe the last time.
I feel insensitive, i didn't really react to any of these, but i respect each and every one of these people and their families
My father has lung cancer and this are his final days. He is suffering so much. Hardly can breath. He can't talk anymore. Not get up. Nothing. I wish he would not have to suffer like this. And my mother, brother and me.. we can not do anything to ease his suffering. :(
I’m so sorry, VDM. I hope you all find peace and comfort. Tell us about your dad. What’s he like? I bet your dad will want you to be happy in life. I know you can’t make his lungs better, but maybe just sit by him while he rests. Soak up every moment you have with him. And remember that it only hurts to lose him because you were so lucky to have him.
My mum died in 10 days. Pancreatic cancer. Doctors thought that it was a jaundice. It was in small town in poor hospital. I tried to save her life for 5 days when I started to think that it has to be a different diagnose... I tried to move her to another hospital in the capital. I made a hundred phone calls with other doctors and they asked me why am I doing this not her doctor. They could help but I need to transfer her by helicopter. But it was too late. So I didn't make the last photo of my mom. But I remember like it was yesterday in my head when she was suddenly lying on the intensive-care unit with many tubes and monitors, without any move. It is 8 years. I have that photo in my mind every second. Than suddenly the helicopter came... It was like redemption from hell for me. And when they landed in Bratislava where she could be saved by better doctors, her body gaved it up. It was the worst feeling from whole life. When you can do nothing.
Can't ever have a beautiful post without Vonskippy being a piece of disgusting human trash.
All of these stories are heart-breaking. I wish I could hold all of these people in caring hugs.
Who is cutting onions here??
i made it to about #67 before the tears started falling...some made me laugh; most left me in awe to see such raw emotion. all were wonderful pics of people that were loved & missed...
This is bittersweet. I love it.
So very sad 😔 I’ve lost so many friends and family, to many to count. I’m fight my own health issues atm, all I can do is take each day as it comes, I have many happy memories. The doctors were very wrong when they said I would be gone around 50yrs 8yrs on I’m still fighting hard. I have much to fight for, but some days it’s very hard. It is a crazy, cruel world we live in some days. And perfect on others. Peace to all, and have a great Xmas. <3 remember the good times.
Don’t think about all those things you fear. JUST BE GLAD TO BE HERE.
This is maybe one of the last pics of the captain of the ferry M/S Estonia. This video footage was filmed by a Swedish tourist in June 1994. The tourist asked the captain how long one could survive in water. The captain replied that he didn't understand the question since they had life rafts and life jackets on the ferry. Only a few months later the captain and his crew on the bridge would perish in one of the worst maritime disasters of modern times. On the 28/09/1994 M/S Estonia capsized in the middle of the Baltic Sea and sunk in only 50 minutes. 852 people lost their lives. Screenshot...3ae898.jpg
Currently crying.
Hello everyone, my older brother and his wife, leaving behind a son, died recently from the covid-19 virus. Both went a week apart. He not only was a brother but my special friend and retired veteran of the US navy. I am as well. I know they have a special place in heaven as well in my heart. I will see them again. Love you brother.
These are the most important informational and teaching of personal experiences to share in the world. It helped me. Life is brutal, however more excruciating to choose to die on someone. I now choose to live with grief, emotional pain, an inability to recover or to be myself again... so that my children can thrive and count on me not to hurt them via my death. I miss you Bob. You should have got tested like I asked You gave me pleasure and horrid pain.
I was expecting funny and insensitive. This IS Bored Panda, isn't it? Instead I find touching and sensitive. I really didn't want to cry today, but I appreciate your kindness and heart.
my dad is going to die soon due to sickness please send prayers
I never realized how much my son Shefrin was hurting inside. He was 27 years old when he took his life, you can never imagine the pain of losing your child it's like your soul being ripped out. Cherish one another life is short, make memories because in the end that's all you have left.
Очень больно, но радостно, что все осталось в памяти...Все они живы, пока мы помним...
I am struck by the photo of the mother who didn't allow any photos of herself since 1986. How sad that her children don't have any photos of their mother since then! When people don't want their photo taken, it deprives their loved ones of photos of precious moments in their lives, and for what? Because you don't think you look good enough? Your family thinks you're beautiful. This is so sad.
So tragic and heartbreaking. Yet so poignant and loving.
Humbled.
Heart-wrenching to scroll through these pictures and see all of these young people die from violence. :( And the love with the older couples after so many years...
What a wonderful article - thank you and thanks to all the people sharing these stories. <3
I really hated "liking" ANY of these heartbreaking posts. All so sad and tragic. Wishing great peace and healing to the people who posted pictures here. So hard to go through the holidays with one of our family or friends missing. <3
I almost cried a few times.
I'll never forgive you guys for making me cry so hard. I am not suppose to be this weak.
My grandmother passed earlier this year. I am glad that I visited her in the hospital one final time, the day before she shuffled off her mortal coil. Life is incredibly fragile - yet it can be incredibly tough, too.