Next of kin / Friends

DIGNITAS encourages and welcomes the attendance of next of kin and/or close friends at an accompanied suicide. In all events, next of kin and/or close friends should be informed as early as possible: they should be told about and given the opportunity to co-operate with decision-making regarding the accompanied suicide. The earlier people become familiar with your choice, the more likely it is that they will support you through it.

Those who do not inform their next of kin and appear to “sneak away“ into the beyond run the risk of hurting the feelings of the people closest to them and possibly even making them angry. Their rage might then unjustly be directed against DIGNITAS, despite the fact that this organization strongly advocates the rights of the next of kin and close friends to be present at an accompanied suicide. Having the chance to say goodbye to a loved one can help people to cope much better with their loss and can help to ease any anxieties about the death.

If no next of kin or friends are able or willing to attend the accompanied suicide, DIGNITAS can appoint two people to do so.