How Does MAID Affect the Grieving Process for My Loved Ones?

It may be difficult for loved ones to understand and accept your decision to pursue MAID, resulting in conflicting emotions after the death has occurred. Some individuals find peace in knowing that their loved one was able to die according to their preferences and values. They may also feel reassured by the understanding that their loved one was comfortable prior to death, and that there weren’t any concerns surrounding pain or suffering. Some studies have found that they may experience less grief and traumatic stress.

However, some individuals may have difficulty coping with their grief due to the perspective that their loved one chose to end their life. They may experience intense emotions such as guilt because they were unable to persuade their loved one to make a different choice, or even anger surrounding their loved one’s decision. Some individuals may feel confused about why their loved one would choose to die, or may view this decision as a form of suicide, which may be deeply upsetting to them. 

Although anticipatory grief is often present among the loved ones of those with a terminal illness, MAID may influence how they experience this grief. Individuals who have gradually attempted to prepare themselves for the eventual decline of their loved one’s health due to the progression of their disease may feel even less prepared at the realization that death may occur sooner than expected. 

The stigma associated with medical aid in dying can also affect how loved ones navigate their grief. Perspectives vary widely, and some individuals may express moral objections or negative perceptions that can make others feel judged if their loved one dies due to MAID. It can also be a potentially isolating experience since other people may have difficulty relating to this type of loss and may struggle to support the bereaved effectively. Both of these possibilities can result in disenfranchised grief. Ultimately, these factors may make loved ones feel less comfortable openly expressing their grief, limiting their ability to process the loss. 

Sources

“​​Experiences of grief-bereavement after a medically assisted death in Canada: Bringing death to life”. Death Studies. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07481187.2021.1876790 

“Exploring the experience of supporting a loved one through a medically assisted death in Canada”. The Official Publication of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6135137/ 

“Grief and MAiD: Lessons Learned from Oregon”. Canadian Virtual Hospice. https://www.virtualhospice.ca/en_US/Main+Site+Navigation/Home/For+Professionals/For+Professionals/The+Exchange/Current/Grief+and+MAiD_+Lessons+Learned+from+Oregon.aspx