DIGNITAS Switzerland: Our Services for Israelis
DIGNITAS is a Swiss not-for-profit organization that helps people with incurable illnesses or unbearable suffering end their lives with dignity, under strict conditions and in accordance with Swiss law. Israelis can apply to DIGNITAS, but the process is long and demanding: membership in the organization, historical and current medical reports including a psychiatric evaluation, translated documents with a notary stamp and an apostille, and a trip to Switzerland. Last Wish has guided Israelis through the DIGNITAS process since 2019, and has accompanied more than 100 Israelis so far, from the first conversation to the final days in Switzerland.
The decision to end your life at the time that suits you is not a simple one.
We are here to enable you to stop your suffering with the help of the Swiss organization DIGNITAS.
In Israel, euthanasia is prohibited by law.
Switzerland is one of the very few countries that allow people who are not its citizens to come and end their life with assistance.
The DIGNITAS organization from Switzerland believes that each person has the right to decide when and how to end their life.
We Help People End Their Life with Dignity
The organization makes it possible to do so painlessly, in a way that will surely lead to the desired result, as opposed to suicide attempts that may not succeed, and may even further aggravate the person’s condition.
The service is not intended for people with severe mental illnesses and the applicant must be mentally clear.
The process that a patient has to go through from the moment the decision to end his or her life with the help of Dignitas is made, until the actual procedure takes place is long, complicated, complex, and requires many preparations.
Even though DIGNITAS is a not-for-profit organization, the process involves considerable costs.
It is important to understand that the DIGNITAS organization does not help every person who decides to end their life. There are many criteria for obtaining approval, the main one being the patient’s medical condition.
Here is where we come into the picture to help patients in Israel get the approval.
We are very familiar with the DIGNITAS process and we have vast experience accompanying Israeli patients from the moment they make the decision, through obtaining the "Green Light", to the actual execution of the treatment in Switzerland.
Thanks to our familiarity with the organization's representatives and their strict requirements, our guidance helps make the process as short and smooth as possible.
We are proficient in the fastest and most convenient ways of communicating with the organization, which saves valuable time for you and your loved ones.
We have personal access to the relevant professionals - doctors, psychiatrists, notaries, and translators, who are well acquainted with the process.
The support we offer includes:
Dealing effectively with the logistic process, including booking airline tickets and hotels for patients and their companions, help with arrangements for flying the body to Israel or cremating it, and receiving a death certificate in Israel.
If the family is interested, our representative will accompany them on the flight to Switzerland, stay with them, support them, and make the necessary arrangements there.
At Last-Wish, we will do everything to ensure that the DIGNITAS
organization accepts you and fulfills your last wish.
Our services include (most of which are required by DIGNITAS):
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Personal accompaniment and explanations of all stages of the process.
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Communication with DIGNITAS and transfer of relevant documents.
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Meetings with physicians to provide an up-to-date medical report.
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Production of copies of certificates (birth, marriage, etc.).
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Translation of documents.
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Notary services and drafting of wills.
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Transfers of foreign currency.
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Booking flights and hotels in Switzerland.
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Company on the trip to Switzerland.
We believe that every person has the right not to suffer and to take control of their end-of-life.
DIGNITAS is a Swiss organization that aims to help incurable patients who are living in great agony and want to end their lives with dignity, by an action commonly referred to as "euthanasia". (DIGNITAS = honor in Latin, Euthanasia = beautiful death in Greek).
Passive euthanasia, known in Hebrew as "death with dignity", which deals with the right of a terminally ill person to request not to extend his life by artificial means such as a medical ventilator or a Nasogastric tube, DIGNITAS accompanies the person in the process of active euthanasia, when at the end of the process, DIGNITAS provides a glass with a potion that allows the person interested to end his or her life with dignity and without pain.
DIGNITAS prefers not to call the service it provides euthanasia, but rather assisted suicide, since euthanasia is done by a third party that causes the patient to die, and at DIGNITAS, the patients must perform the action that will end their life.
How the DIGNITAS process works, step by step
1. A first conversation. A personal and discreet call in which we learn about the medical condition and the wishes of the applicant, and explain honestly whether there is a realistic chance of approval.
2. Membership. The applicant registers as a member of DIGNITAS.
3. Medical documentation. Historical and current medical reports, meetings with physicians to produce an up-to-date medical report, and a psychiatric evaluation confirming sound judgment.
4. Personal documents. Copies of certificates (birth, marriage and more), translation, a notary stamp and an apostille from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
5. Submission to DIGNITAS. Ongoing communication with the organization until the "Green Light" is given.
6. Travel arrangements. Flights and hotels in Switzerland for the patient and companions, and foreign currency transfers.
7. The days in Switzerland. If the family wishes, our representative flies with them, stays with them and handles the arrangements on site.
8. Afterwards. Help with flying the body to Israel or with cremation, and with obtaining a death certificate in Israel.
Who is eligible for DIGNITAS, and who is not
DIGNITAS does not accept every request. The main criterion is the medical condition, and the applicant must be of sound mind and able to travel to Switzerland.
Eligible:
- People with a terminal illness.
- People living with an unbearable disability.
- People with unbearable and uncontrollable pain.
- People with Parkinson's, ALS, MS, PSP, severe disabilities and those in need of nursing care.
- People with dementia or Alzheimer's at a stage of mild cognitive decline, who can clearly express their wishes.
Not eligible:
- Healthy people.
- People with severe mental illness.
- People who have lost the capacity to make decisions about their life.
Opposition from the family may also be an obstacle.
How long does the DIGNITAS process take?
The process takes at least three to six months, depending on the workload at DIGNITAS and on the cooperation of the applicant. That is why it is best to reach out early, while the applicant is still lucid and able to travel.
DIGNITAS: frequently asked questions
What is DIGNITAS?
DIGNITAS is a Swiss not-for-profit organization that helps people with incurable illnesses who live in great suffering end their lives with dignity, in accordance with Swiss law. The name comes from Latin and means "dignity".
Is Last Wish an official representative of DIGNITAS?
No. Last Wish is an independent Israeli service that guides applicants and prepares their request. The decision to accept a request is made by DIGNITAS alone.
Can Israelis apply to DIGNITAS?
Yes. DIGNITAS accepts requests from people who are not Swiss citizens, including Israelis. In Israel itself, assisted dying is prohibited by law.
Can I contact DIGNITAS directly?
Yes. DIGNITAS is happy to work with applicants directly, at dignitas@dignitas.ch. Our guidance saves time, mistakes and emotional strain along the way.
What are the DIGNITAS requirements?
Membership in the organization, being of sound mind and able to fly to Switzerland, historical and current medical reports including a psychiatric evaluation, and certificates that are translated, notarized and stamped with an apostille.
Why is a psychiatric evaluation required?
DIGNITAS needs to confirm that the applicant is lucid and that the request comes from sound judgment. The psychiatric evaluation is part of the documents the organization requires.
Can people with Alzheimer's or dementia be accepted?
People at a stage of mild cognitive decline, who can clearly express their wishes, may be accepted. At an advanced stage this is no longer possible, which is why it is important to apply early.
Is there pain in the last moments?
No. The person drinks a solution of pentobarbital, which contains anesthetics, and does not feel pain.
What is the difference between euthanasia and what DIGNITAS does?
In euthanasia, a third party performs the act. At DIGNITAS, the patient must perform the act that ends their life, which is why the organization calls it assisted suicide.
How long does it take?
At least three to six months, depending on the workload at DIGNITAS and on the cooperation of the applicant.
How much does the DIGNITAS process cost?
DIGNITAS is a not-for-profit organization, but the process involves considerable costs. We explain them in detail in a personal conversation.
Do you travel with the family to Switzerland?
Yes, if the family wishes. Our representative flies with them, stays with them, supports them and handles the arrangements there.
What happens afterwards?
We help with flying the body to Israel or with cremation, and with obtaining a death certificate in Israel.
How do I start?
Call or WhatsApp us at +972-55-950-6111, or use the contact form. We will set up a personal and discreet conversation and explain everything you need to know.