Frequently, this argument is not contested by loved ones or close friends, but rather members of the legislative, legal and executive branches. In fact, lawmakers have repeatedly tried to overturn the state of Oregon's Death with Dignity Act, which legalizes physician-assisted death and dying with certain restrictions. Oregon was the first, and remains one of the few states, to allow people the freedom to choose their death.



When a loved one is suffering, most family members prefer living with loss over watching their loved ones suffer when they would prefer to die. Among the options are hospice and palliative care and assisted suicide networks. This provides families and the individuals who are dying with the information so they can choose the path that is best for their particular situation.

Hospice care, whether through a private residence or a nursing home, can provide a content atmosphere for those who are dying. It provides comfort and support for the patient and family in order to make the death process as painless as possible. Persons over 65 years of age have access to hospice care through Social Security.

Even if a death is planned beforehand, dealing with death and dying is hard, especially when it is a loved one. If you know someone who is living with loss, make sure you can be there for him or her and be concerned about their feelings.

When someone you know is coping with loss, it's natural to feel awkward about what to say. This sometimes make people shy or even pull away. The main thing is to try to treat the person as you normally would and do your best to stay in touch and be available in case they want to talk or otherwise need you.

There are no set rules in comforting someone who has experienced death and dying. It can be difficult to determine what to do or say to make that person feel better. Most of the time, the best thing to do would be to simply sit with that person and listen.