The Good Death Society Blog

Nov 21

2

What I Did for Love

By Jim Van Buskirk and Jim Mitulski | AIDS, Assisted Suicide, Choice, Death With Dignity Act, Derek Humphry, Disability, DNR, Dying, End-of-life care, Final Exit Network, Grief, Medical Aid in Dying, Religion, Right-to-Die Laws, Spirituality, Suffering and Death, Suicide, The Right to Die | 6 Comments

A cache of old videos recalls the height of the AIDS crisis and its critical, emotional nexus with the developing right-to-die movement.

Nov 14

2

Six Before 80? My Cat May Know

By Sandra Shaw Homer | Choice, Dementia, Dying, End-of-life care, Medical Aid in Dying, Religion, Spirituality, Suffering and Death, Suicide, The Right to Die | 13 Comments

You do everything you can, take every possible step to delay the inevitable. At what point do you say, “Enough. I’m done.” And welcome freedom.

Nov 07

0

When It Comes to End-of-Life, Some Are Taking Matters Into Their Own Hands

By Kevyn Burger | Advance Directives, Choice, Dementia, Dying, Healthcare Power of Attorney, Medical Aid in Dying, Mental Illness, Religion, Right-to-Die Laws, Spirituality, Suffering and Death, Suicide, The Right to Die, VSED | 4 Comments

With or without Medical Aid in Dying, VSED offers a legal option; a new book explains all the ins and outs from every angle.

Oct 31

0

Is There an “Epidemic” of Suicide Among the Elderly?

By Ruth Dixon-Mueller | Choice, Dementia, Disability, Dying, End-of-life care, Final Exit Network, Medical Aid in Dying, Mental Illness, Right-to-Die Laws, Suffering and Death, Suicide, The Right to Die | 11 Comments

If we believe much of what we read, suicide by U.S. seniors is running rampant. Don’t believe it. Some of those “suicidal” folks are making rational decisions to retire from a life well lived that is no longer worth extending.

Oct 24

8

What Ways Can You Die When You’ve Had Enough of Life?

By Althea Halchuck | Advance Directives, ALS, Choice, Dementia, Disability, Dying, End-of-life care, Final Exit Network, Grief, Medical Aid in Dying, Mental Illness, POLST, Right-to-Die Laws, Suffering and Death, Suicide, Surrogate, The Right to Die, VSED | 13 Comments

When you believe it’s time to go, what options do you really have? There are more than you you think, without having to resort to a violent ending.

Oct 17

0

I Helped My Friend Judy Navigate Her Exit; It Wasn’t Easy

By Laura Kenig | Choice, Disability, DNR, Dying, End-of-life care, Final Exit Network, Religion, Right-to-Die Laws, Spirituality, Suffering and Death, Suicide, The Right to Die | 5 Comments

How to get a ride in a squad car. “It makes what could be a loving, family affair a secret, clandestine event! Such a shame.”

Oct 10

1

Linguistic Accuracy Was Put to Death; It Wasn’t ‘Euthanized’

By Jay Niver | Choice, Disability, Dying, End-of-life care, Final Exit Network, PAD, Right-to-Die Laws, Suffering and Death, Suicide, The Right to Die | 9 Comments

If you believe the media and ignorant, sanctioned killers, ‘putting down’ healthy animals that have done nothing to deserve an early death is a compassionate, merciful act. After all, they are ‘euthanized.’

Oct 03

3

Is MAiD Compatible with Hospice and Palliative Care? Dr. BJ Miller reflects.

By BJ Miller | Choice, Disability, Dying, End-of-life care, Final Exit Network, Medical Aid in Dying, Right-to-Die Laws, Suffering and Death, Suicide, The Right to Die | 3 Comments

A TED Talk star, interviewed by Oprah and featured in N.Y. Times Magazine, opens up to Final Exit Network about Medical Aid in Dying, the state of U.S. healthcare, and how we irrationally fear death.

Sep 26

2

Farewell to Hemlock: Killed by its Name

By Derek Humphry | Choice, Dying, Final Exit Network, Right-to-Die Laws, Suffering and Death, Suicide, The Right to Die | 7 Comments

Death in a boardroom; no “Caring Friends” present. Take a retrospective look at what happened to the Hemlock Society USA, as recounted soon after by its principal founder.

Sep 19

0

There Is No Autopilot for Navigating Advance Directives

By Althea Halchuck | Advance Directives, Choice, Dying, Final Exit Network, Healthcare Power of Attorney, Surrogate, The Right to Die, VSED | One Comment

Having a firm Advance Directive is one of the most important things you can do to ensure your end-of-life wishes are honored. But it can be tricky to obtain the right document(s) you need.