. . .To whomsoever it may concern. . .

CONCERNING PROVISIONS FOR THE DEATH OF [name]

I am a [self realized person outside all religions and spiritual traditions], and I ask for the following requests to be observed if humanly possible in order that I can have as relaxed, 'natural' and happy a death as possible.

Death is a natural and positive process - simply a transition from one state of consciousness into another - and I ask that it not be unduly delayed.

For medics and nurses, the most important part of this document is up to paragraph 12, though any who feel they have made some connection with me may wish to take note of the rest.

Before my death

1. At all times, I ask that NO mind-affecting drugs, such as sedatives, anti-depressants, antipsychotics or stimulants be given, except in the event of my explicit request (a 'Yes' or a nod in answer to somebody's question does NOT count as such a request). The one exception may be a standard dose of a sleeping tablet (not any of the benzodiazepine 'family', nor barbiturates, but Zopiclone is a relatively harmless one to use) - but again only upon my explicit request, and only for the purpose of my getting some sleep at night, and not for general sedation purposes.

2. Painkillers.  As far as practicable, I want these given only with my consent; I particularly ask that any refusal on my part to accept painkillers be fully respected and complied with.  In the event of pain, wherever possible I would prefer non-drug pain control measures.

3. I ask that, if it appears that I have only a short time to live, I be told clearly and unambiguously how near my death appears to be, and to have this information regularly updated as indications change.

4. I ask that medics and nurses who are caring for me make a point of discussing with me my wishes about my forthcoming death and environment for dying even if death is by no means certain at that stage; it will greatly help them in their work as well as ensuring that I get the treatment and care that best fits my real needs.  My aim is not to place great demands but to create mutual understanding so that we may all be touched positively by my situation.

5. The Big 'D' is not so big!  A note to visitors as well as medics and nurses: I want complete openness about the prospect of death, and am happy to talk about death, which is really only the end of one particular phase and the beginning of a new phase. It would be unhelpful for people to seek to hide from me their own deep feelings and fears about death - indeed, it's very likely that I shall be able to give them great reassurance if they would really be open with me. One particular trouble about people hiding their own feelings and fears on the subject would be that those would be communicated anyway, unawarely and in such a way as to make maximum negative impact all round.

6. I strongly recommend that doctors, nurses and other care staff involved with me read How to Die Peacefully and with Dignity (www.clarity-of-being.org/how-to-die-peacefully.htm), in which they can gain more understanding of how people can go about dying in the most natural way, as I myself aim to do. It will be apparent from that, that I aim to die peacefully in my sleep at a particular point before my body can no longer function at all. That is the healthy and happy way to 'go'.  It's a complete fallacy that people have to hang onto life absolutely to 'the bitter end'. Also, I recommend Who Is Really Pro-Life? (www.clarity-of-being.org/pro-life.htm), in which I explore the ethical issues involved.

Life prolongation and resuscitation

7. Life support measures. I ask for these NOT to be applied unless a true and meaningful recovery is expected (in other words, not at all if I’m in any sort of terminal state).  And if for some reason I have been connected to a life support system and am then found to be in a non-recoverable state, it is ESSENTIAL that disconnection of life support system NOT be used to terminate my life.  Almost certainly this situation wouldn’t arise, because I’d choose to die naturally in my sleep before it ever came to such a situation, but if that situation did arise, the ONLY way to terminate my life would be by means of a euthanasia drug, and not to disconnect life support until my body was dead.  Disconnection of life support as a means of termination is simply a version of starving / dehydrating (/ suffocating) a person to death – NOT a humane or truly peaceful death.

8. Resuscitation.  The same basic principle applies to resuscitation measures as to ongoing life support.  I ask that resuscitation be used only if a recovery to reasonable functioning is expected, and it should not be used if I am in any sort of terminal state, for that would be the time that I mean to, and am meant to, die, and going against that would be going against 'the natural order' and benefiting no-one.

Environment for dying

9. As far as possible I should be in a reasonably relaxed environment that is not very busy or noisy.  In particular I ask to be kept out of proximity to televisions and radios, and with no piped music.  Televisions in particular are extremely stressful to anyone (whether they realize it or not) and the sound of one at any time of day or night is bound to make anyone's death a stressful experience.

10. I want no priests nor religious devotees such as Mormons or Jehovah's Witnesses at any time (at least, in their capacity as priests or representatives of particular religions). Religions are anathema to me.  With that proviso, friends and acquaintances would always be most welcome.

11. When it's clear that I'm dying, friends and acquaintances are still welcome to be present, but I want a particular understanding that what is happening then is a good - indeed great and wonderful - thing, so it would be totally out of place for anyone to be trying to be in denial of what is happening. Only my body and transient 'ordinary' mind would be dying at that point, and it would be a release process for me so that I can transform to my next phase.  If I am lucid enough to do so, even then I shall be glad to give to anyone my touch of love and healing.  If I'm already 'on my way out', and that slightly speeds my 'death' so what?  Why are people so frightened of 'it'?

After my death

12. Putting the body to use.  The whole body or any parts of it can be used to benefit other beings, whether for medical research, student training, or even cut up and thrown to the wind to feed wild animals!  I mean that, though I realize that the latter option wouldn't be allowed.  I have no time for the pointless reverence that people show for dead bodies when the actual 'person' has separated from the body (only a temporary vessel) and is no longer associated with it. However, without going so far as to make a categorical proscription, I do not want to encourage the use of parts of my body as 'spare parts' for other people, because transplants are actually inclined to bring people particular significant mental problems that are not yet recognised in the medical and indeed mental healthcare services.

13. No funeral nor service is to be held, nor any form of religious nor paganistic ritual.

14. Final disposal of my body.  Please use whatever is the most environment-friendly method.  If the body is cremated I want the ashes to be taken on foot to the top of a mountain - not just a hill - and discreetly scattered there as a celebration, the timing being such as not to put anyone to undue risk to life and limb.  Ideally this would be used as a focus for a little group celebration (without tobacco, alcohol or other mind-affecting drugs).

15. A non-alcoholic, non-drug celebratory Departure-of-Myself party would be fine by me in lieu of a funeral! A mountain top is recommended as the location of such a function.