A person’s mouth may open near death because their breathing pattern changes and the jaw moves with each breath.
After death, the muscles lose tone, so the lower jaw can relax and remain open. Later, rigor mortis may temporarily hold the jaw in that position.
Although the sight can be upsetting, an open mouth by itself does not show that a person was in pain, afraid, suffocating, or conscious of what was happening. It also cannot reveal the cause of death.
Important: This article offers general information, not medical advice or a way to confirm death. If a person is unresponsive and you are not certain that an expected death has occurred, call 911.
“An open mouth near or after death is often caused by changes in breathing and normal muscle relaxation. By itself, it does not show what the person felt or how they died.”
Why the Mouth May Open Near the End of Life
As the body becomes weaker, the muscles of the face and jaw may lose strength.
A person who is very sleepy or unconscious may no longer keep the lower jaw in its usual position. They may also breathe through the mouth because swallowing, coughing, and clearing saliva have become more difficult.
Breathing often changes during the last days or hours of life.
It can become shallow or irregular, with longer pauses between breaths. Sometimes the mouth opens and the jaw moves during each breath.
Clinicians call this respiration with mandibular movement, or mandibular breathing.
Marie Curie explains that jaw breathing may happen in the last day or hours before death.
Research has also identified it as a sign that death may be approaching in people with advanced illness.
It does not occur in everyone, however, and no single sign can predict an exact time of death for an individual.
What to look for: Open-mouth breathing may look alarming, but it is not automatically a sign of discomfort. Look at the whole person and ask the care team to assess any grimacing, moaning, agitation, tense muscles, choking, or breathing that appears distressing.
Why the Mouth May Stay Open After Death
Immediately after death, muscles enter an initial period of relaxation.
The jaw is no longer held in its usual resting position, so gravity may allow it to drop open.
The position of the head and body can affect how far the mouth opens. Teeth, dentures, and the shape of the jaw may also affect the appearance.
Later, the muscles become stiff in a process called rigor mortis.
The timing varies according to the person’s condition and the surrounding environment.
If stiffness develops while the jaw is open, the mouth may temporarily remain in that position.
As the body changes further, that stiffness eventually passes.
One person’s mouth may be closed, another’s may be slightly open, and another’s may open more noticeably. None of these appearances provides a reliable account of what the person felt or how they died.
Does an Open Mouth Mean the Person Was in Pain?
No conclusion about pain can be drawn from an open mouth alone.
The lower jaw may relax as part of the natural dying process or after death, even when the person has been peaceful and comfortable.
An open mouth also does not prove that a person:
- Was frightened
- Was calling out
- Suffocated
- Died violently
- Experienced a particular illness or injury
- Was aware of their final moments
Noisy breathing near the end of life can be difficult to hear.
It may occur when a person can no longer swallow or clear saliva and mucus from the throat.
The Hospice Foundation of America notes that these breathing changes can distress caregivers without necessarily indicating pain or suffering in the dying person.
What to Do When a Dying Person’s Mouth Is Open
If the person is receiving hospice or palliative care, follow the care plan and contact the team with any concerns.
Small comfort measures may help, but they should fit the guidance you have already received.
You can often help by:
- Keeping the room calm and speaking gently
- Helping the person rest in a comfortable position approved by the care team
- Moistening the lips or mouth with products recommended by the nurse
- Reporting new breathlessness, choking, agitation, pain, or other sudden changes
MedlinePlus guidance on the final days of life recommends asking the hospice team about anything you do not understand and contacting them if the person shows signs of pain or anxiety.
Do not force the jaw closed. Do not pour water into the mouth of someone who is very drowsy, unconscious, or unable to swallow, because fluid may enter the airway. Ask the care team before offering sips, using mouth swabs, repositioning the person, or adjusting dentures.
When to Call Hospice and When to Call 911
The right call depends on whether the death is expected and whether a hospice or medical plan is already in place.
If the Person Is Enrolled in Hospice and the Death Is Expected
Follow the instructions in the hospice care plan.
In the United States, the Hospice Foundation of America advises families to call the hospice provider’s 24-hour number when an enrolled patient dies at home.
A hospice team member can confirm the death, guide the family, and assist with final arrangements.
HonorYou’s guide to who to call when someone dies at home explains the next steps for expected and unexpected deaths in more detail.
If the Collapse Is Sudden, Unexpected, or Uncertain
Call 911 if a person is unresponsive and is not breathing normally or is only gasping, unless a clinician has already given you a specific end-of-life plan to follow.
The American Heart Association states that gasping is not normal breathing.
Begin CPR and use an automated external defibrillator, or AED, if one is available, following the emergency dispatcher’s instructions.
What Happens When Funeral Professionals Care for the Body?
After a death has been confirmed and the required authorities have been notified, a funeral professional can take the person into their care.
The position of the jaw is one of many details funeral professionals may address when preparing someone for viewing or burial.
Family members do not need to force or secure the mouth themselves.
A hospice nurse or funeral director can explain what is appropriate and handle the person’s care respectfully.
HonorYou’s overview of what funeral homes do describes how funeral professionals support families after a death.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Everyone Die With Their Mouth Open?
No.
Some people’s mouths remain closed, while others open slightly or more noticeably.
Muscle tone, breathing, body position, dental support, and changes after death can all influence the appearance.
Why Are a Person’s Eyes and Mouth Sometimes Open After Death?
The muscles that hold the eyelids and jaw in their usual positions may relax.
The eyes can remain partly open, and the lower jaw can drop.
Neither appearance, by itself, explains the person’s cause of death or emotional state.
Can the Mouth Be Closed After Death?
A funeral professional can assess and address the position of the jaw during preparation.
Family members should not force it closed, especially if stiffness has begun.
Ask the hospice nurse or funeral director if the appearance is causing concern.
Is an Open Mouth the Same as a Death Rattle?
No.
An open mouth describes the position of the jaw.
A death rattle is a sound created when a dying person can no longer clear secretions from the throat or airway.
The two may occur around the same time, but they are not the same physical change.
A Natural Change That Can Be Difficult to See
Seeing a loved one with their mouth open can be unsettling, especially when no one has explained why it happens.
In many cases, it reflects changes in breathing near death, normal muscle relaxation after death, or both.
It is not a reliable sign of suffering or a specific cause of death.
Once the immediate medical and legal steps are settled, families can move at a pace that respects their needs and traditions.
HonorYou’s funeral planning guide and grief and loss resources offer practical support for the days ahead.
