Table 3 Colaizzi’s seven-step procedure of data analysis

1. Listen to the tape time and again and transcribe them into transcriptions, then read their words repeatedly combining with the non-verbal communications till feelings resonate.

2. Extract Significant statements which are relevant to the death experience of nursing students from each transcript.

3. Formulate meanings from significant statements and code them. Codes should be approved by all researchers.

4. Cluster these codes.

5. Confirm findings and identify difference by comparing transcriptions and sub-themes, themes more than once.

6. Describe the theme and essence of nursing students’ experience by their own statements to insure the validity of study.

7. Return each transcript and result to participants to affirm the findings.