The Death Space

When you're facing a life-ending diagnosis, navigating the field of death care can be daunting. You’re dealing with paperwork, doctors, nurses, sometimes social workers, sometimes hospice, distraught friends and family, plus your own fears and concerns. It can be incredibly stressful and the worries over things undone or left unsaid can become buried under that avalanche.

“Dignity in death” is the rallying call of proponents of medical aid in dying and that phrase points out the difference nicely: the element of choice is what supports dignity, but also choice as an informed and rational component in end-of-life decisions. Without legal, safe, and comprehensive choices...