This post is meant to be informative and not an endorsement.

Final Exit Network’s mission is:

To educate qualified individuals in practical, peaceful ways to end their lives, offer a compassionate bedside presence and defend their right to choose.

Their Vision is:

That any competent person unbearably suffering an intractable medical condition has the option to die legally and peacefully.

Their Principles:

  • A mentally competent person with intolerable suffering or pain has the right to end their life, choosing the timing and persons present, and should be free of any restrictions by the law, clergy, medical profession, friends or relatives.
  • We do not encourage anyone to end their life and are opposed to anyone encouraging anyone to end their life.
  • We do not provide the means for self-deliverance and we do not assist in self-deliverance.
  • We support research for safe, inexpensive medications or other safe, certain and painless methods that would allow for a peaceful self-deliverance.
  • We will vigorously defend our beliefs and practices in a court of law when necessary.

The Process includes 4 steps:

  1. An individual interested in applying for exit guide support first speaks with one of our volunteer coordinators.
  2. After discussing your circumstances, the coordinator can evaluate whether you might be an appropriate candidate for our services, and will discuss that process, as well as other options you might have.
  3. Applications for exit guide services are reviewed by the Medical Evaluation Committee, comprised of doctors and others with medical expertise, who evaluate whether your circumstances meet our medical criteria.
  4. If you apply and are accepted for guide support, you will be assigned guides who will evaluate your circumstances, support you in initiating difficult conversations with your closest loved ones, work with you in planning a responsible self-deliverance, and, if the guides are comfortable with your situation, they will provide information and education so that you can safely end your life if and when you choose. In the future, if you decide you want to end your life, the guides can be with you for companionship, if you wish.

Who Should Apply?

The appropriate time to apply for exit guide services is when you anticipate wanting to exit within a year or less. We encourage everyone to think and plan ahead, but the Exit Guide Program exists for those who are actively considering self-deliverance. For those who want to be prepared for the future, the coordinators can direct you to useful published resources.

We serve those with serious physical illnesses, including early-stage dementia, that significantly impair quality of life. Those with a constellation of physical problems that collectively seriously degrade quality of life may also apply. Though we understand the suffering caused by mental illness, we do not accept applications from those whose primary complaint is related to mental illness.

Note:

While these things can be difficult to discuss we must admit that there are certain times when it is only fair to discuss them. We hope this link to the Final Exit Network will prove edifying to those wanting more information.

Final Exit Network

Other Links: