Introduction
I want to make it clear that I am unsure if this is true. However, it is reportedly happening overseas.
I received an email over the weekend stating that at a recent Funeral Directors Association of NZ (FDANZ) event, there was a representative from the Ministry of Health suggesting that funeral homes consider offering their premises for individuals seeking assisted dying.
As someone with minimal involvement in FDANZ, I was unaware of this proposal. Therefore, I decided to share the inquiries posed to me by a person associated with the pro-life group, Right to Life, although I have no affiliation with them.
The Questions posed…
The email presented specific questions and sought my opinion. Please note that the language used is emotive. If you are easily offended, consider navigating away at this point. Moreover, I cannot verify the accuracy of the statements made. Reader discretion is advised.
- I would be grateful if you would advise me whether you would allow doctors to kill their patients with a lethal injection or assist in their suicide in your funeral home.
My reply: I don’t have any say in how doctors treat patients. Nor have I ever had a doctor treat or kill anyone on my property. Although it would save me a trip to collect them, I guess. My involvement is after a person has died.
- Funeral Directors Association CEO, Gillian Boyes recently mentioned that funeral homes are accommodating individuals who opt for euthanasia, sometimes facilitating assisted deaths on their premises.
I expressed that I had not heard of this practice but it sounds dodgy. While some funeral homes may capitalise on any business opportunity, it is not an endeavour I would pursue.
- Officials from the Ministry of Health Assisted Dying Secretariat reportedly encouraged funeral homes to offer venues on their premises for doctors to administer lethal injections or facilitate suicides during the FDANZ AGM earlier this year.
Traditionally, a funeral home would be among the last places one would choose to spend their final moments. The proposal appears unusual, with the emotionally charged language you are using duly noted.
- Funeral homes offer a valuable service to our community by:
Ø Carrying out the corporal works of mercy, such as providing burial services.
Ø Performing the spiritual works of mercy, offering solace to the afflicted and providing facilities, like chapels, for prayers for the living and deceased.
I found myself somewhat perplexed at this point. Describing funeral homes as corporate works of mercy may be a stretch; it is a practical service. While there is a spiritual aspect to their operations, likening them to churches appears excessive.
- Funeral homes serve as sacred places, offering sanctuary to our departed loved ones, and should not be tainted by the blood of individuals receiving lethal injections on the premises.
I pointed out, again, that the language used is clearly provocative. While I would not label a funeral home as a sacred place, I understand the emphasis being made. Numerous locations could be deemed sacred, including hospices, hospitals, and even rugby fields.
- Right to Life believes that the vast majority of the community would oppose a funeral home agreeing to utilize their facilities for assisted dying or euthanasia.
I acknowledged that some community members would likely object to such a scenario, as people can be sensitive about various issues nowadays. If funeral homes were to engage in this practice, I assume it would be discreet initially to see the reaction. There may be individuals in the industry willing to entertain the idea if there are financial gains to be had. I could see the multinational companies promoting this.
In conclusion
The essence of the email was to raise awareness. After a quick search, I discovered funeral homes in other countries are embracing this concept. It may only be a matter of time before it reaches our shores. Reports I read from Canada and England highlight funeral homes already promoting how this service operates, which I found unsettling.
I reiterated that SDF would not entertain this service. Nonetheless, it does add a new dimension to the idea of funeral homes being a one-stop shop.