fundamentals
Legal and Ethical Concerns at the End of Life
Introduction
People and their family members often have specific wishes and needs related to death and dying. Advance directives instruct family members and health care practitioners about a person’s decisions for medical care, if the person is unable to make such decisions when they are needed. Some dying people consider suicide, although few people take any steps toward causing their own death. In some areas, laws allow physician aid in dying if certain conditions are met and specific procedures are followed. 