Assisted Dying

Procedure for Voluntary Assisted Dying at Athanasios

Assisted Dying

Procedure for Voluntary Assisted Dying at Athanasios

The services of Athanasios are aimed at individuals who wish to make a self-determined decision about the timing of their death. To request assisted dying, an application must be submitted through the Athanasios website. The applicant must be of legal age and mentally competent, and the wish for assisted dying must be expressed voluntarily, consistently, and without external pressure. In addition, alternatives must be considered, and a medical certificate confirming the diagnosis or unbearable suffering must be provided.

The presence of a psychiatric illness does not automatically lead to the rejection of an application; in such situations, a consultation with a psychiatrist is required.

The applicant must have “control over the act,” meaning they must initiate the infusion themselves to ensure the voluntariness of the death. Athanasios provides a special infusion system that also allows individuals with motor impairments to perform the procedure independently.

For personal contact, the completion of the online form or the paper form and a paiement of CHF 100.-  processing fess are required. As soon as we will have received your completed form, the copy of your ID and your paiement, an Athanasios staff member will personally contact you to answer your questions and discuss your situation. The processing fee of CHF 100.- is non-refundable.

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Alternative Procedure

Interested parties who wish to handle the process on paper can send their request, along with a description of their situation, by mail to our P.O. Box. Upon receiving the letter, we will send the application form by post. This form must be completed and returned to us along with a copy of the ID card.

After returning the completed form, a processing fee of CHF 100.- must be transferred. If an online transfer is not possible, payment can be made directly at the bank. Once the payment is received, the application will be processed.

Since the whole process is handled by mail, we will maintain regular telephone contact to clarify any questions and ensure the successful processing of the application.

This procedure is particularly intended for people who have no access to Internet or who don’t feel comfortable with computer work. I you wish to make use of this possibility, please write to us at contact@athanasios.ch or send us directly a letter at Verein Athanasios, Postfach CH – 8000 Zürich. We are step by step at your side through the whole process.

Accompaniment through the voluntary assisted dying process
Upon receipt of your application and of the payment of CHF 100.-, a personal counselor will contact you to professionally accompany you throughout the entire process up to the voluntary assisted dying. An initial introductory meeting via video call will be organized to answer your questions and discuss the next steps. We will carefully review your documents and address your personal situation to ensure independent decision-making and confirm that no external influence is involved. The decision regarding the approval of the voluntary assisted dying will be communicated both by phone and in writing via email. Once you have received the preliminary “OK,” you can schedule an appointment for a consultation and, if desired, for the voluntary assisted dying at any time. We recommend scheduling the appointment so as to allow enough time for all necessary preparations.

Your personal counselor will inform you of all the details, including hotel accommodation and medical consultations, which will take place before the assisted suicide. These assessments are usually conducted in a personal meeting or via video conference and serve to carefully evaluate the life situation and free will of the applicant.

One day before the scheduled appointment, a personal meeting with your counselor will take place, during which the process will be explained and there will be room to discuss any open questions or concerns.

Athanasios places great importance on transparency and honesty throughout the entire process. We ensure that the process, as well as its implementation, is conducted promptly and professionally, taking into account all legal frameworks. Communication with the applicants and their families is respectful, clear, and open.

At the applicant’s request, family members, friends, or other companions can be present during the voluntary assited dying. As we operate internationally, we offer our support in multiple languages. If, due to health reasons, it is not possible for you to stay in a hotel, you may, in exceptional cases, come directly to our premises.

The assisted dying will take place at the facilities of Athanasios under the supervision of professional staff

Only sodium pentobarbital will be used, which our professional staff will collect directly from the pharmacy upon presentation of the power of attorney. Medical presence is only required if there is a medical necessity.

In cases where the applicant is unable to sign the required documents due to health reasons or other reasons, an authorized person may sign on their behalf. This process is confirmed by targeted questions from the counselor and will be video documented to provide proof for authorities and pharmacies.

After the applicant’s passing, the relevant authorities will be informed. Athanasios will notify the firm of undertakers and arrange for the desired funeral form, including any transportation abroad. Residents of Switzerland are responsible for the funeral costs, specifically for the coffin, body transport, cremation, the urn, and its shipping. For foreign applicants, these costs are included in the total amount, which is why there is a tariff difference.

Swiss citizens an Swiss residents can have their VAD at their own home.

After the loss of a loved one, Athanasios offers on-site support for relatives to assist them at this particular time
We provide emotional support through conversations and counseling to aid in the grieving process, taking into account the individual needs of the bereaved. Our grief counseling, in collaboration with experienced professionals, enables the relatives to process their emotions. The aim is to provide the bereaved with the space and assistance they need to cope with the loss.

  • Assisted suicide is legal in Switzerland if the assisting person acts without self-interest.

  • Requirements: Full decision-making capacity and control over one’s own death (Art. 115 Swiss Criminal Code, BGE 133 I 58).

  • For neurological or mental health conditions, Athanasios can arrange an independent professional if needed.

  • The infusion is activated by the client to ensure voluntariness.

  • A specially designed device allows clients, even with tetraplegia, to operate it independently.

  • Athanasios provides full support, guidance, and preparation for a safe FTA process.

The services of Athanasios are aimed at individuals who wish to make a self-determined decision about the timing of their death. To request assisted dying, an application must be submitted through the Athanasios website. The applicant must be of legal age and mentally competent, and the wish for assisted dying must be expressed voluntarily, consistently, and without external pressure. In addition, alternatives must be considered, and a medical certificate confirming the diagnosis or unbearable suffering must be provided.

The presence of a psychiatric illness does not automatically lead to the rejection of an application; in such situations, a consultation with a psychiatrist is required.

The applicant must have “control over the act,” meaning they must initiate the infusion themselves to ensure the voluntariness of the death. Athanasios provides a special infusion system that also allows individuals with motor impairments to perform the procedure independently.

For personal contact, the completion of the online form or the paper form and a paiement of CHF 100.-  processing fess are required. As soon as we will have received your completed form, the copy of your ID and your paiement, an Athanasios staff member will personally contact you to answer your questions and discuss your situation. The processing fee of CHF 100.- is non-refundable.

Seiten-Navigation

Alternative Procedure

Interested parties who wish to handle the process on paper can send their request, along with a description of their situation, by mail to our P.O. Box. Upon receiving the letter, we will send the application form by post. This form must be completed and returned to us along with a copy of the ID card.

After returning the completed form, a processing fee of CHF 100.- must be transferred. If an online transfer is not possible, payment can be made directly at the bank. Once the payment is received, the application will be processed.

Since the whole process is handled by mail, we will maintain regular telephone contact to clarify any questions and ensure the successful processing of the application.

This procedure is particularly intended for people who have no access to Internet or who don’t feel comfortable with computer work. I you wish to make use of this possibility, please write to us at contact@athanasios.ch or send us directly a letter at Verein Athanasios, Postfach CH – 8000 Zürich. We are step by step at your side through the whole process.

Accompaniment through the voluntary assisted dying process
Upon receipt of your application and of the payment of CHF 100.-, a personal counselor will contact you to professionally accompany you throughout the entire process up to the voluntary assisted dying. An initial introductory meeting via video call will be organized to answer your questions and discuss the next steps. We will carefully review your documents and address your personal situation to ensure independent decision-making and confirm that no external influence is involved. The decision regarding the approval of the voluntary assisted dying will be communicated both by phone and in writing via email. Once you have received the preliminary “OK,” you can schedule an appointment for a consultation and, if desired, for the voluntary assisted dying at any time. We recommend scheduling the appointment so as to allow enough time for all necessary preparations.

Your personal counselor will inform you of all the details, including hotel accommodation and medical consultations, which will take place before the assisted suicide. These assessments are usually conducted in a personal meeting or via video conference and serve to carefully evaluate the life situation and free will of the applicant.

One day before the scheduled appointment, a personal meeting with your counselor will take place, during which the process will be explained and there will be room to discuss any open questions or concerns.

Athanasios places great importance on transparency and honesty throughout the entire process. We ensure that the process, as well as its implementation, is conducted promptly and professionally, taking into account all legal frameworks. Communication with the applicants and their families is respectful, clear, and open.

At the applicant’s request, family members, friends, or other companions can be present during the voluntary assited dying. As we operate internationally, we offer our support in multiple languages. If, due to health reasons, it is not possible for you to stay in a hotel, you may, in exceptional cases, come directly to our premises.

The assisted dying will take place at the facilities of Athanasios under the supervision of professional staff

Only sodium pentobarbital will be used, which our professional staff will collect directly from the pharmacy upon presentation of the power of attorney. Medical presence is only required if there is a medical necessity.

In cases where the applicant is unable to sign the required documents due to health reasons or other reasons, an authorized person may sign on their behalf. This process is confirmed by targeted questions from the counselor and will be video documented to provide proof for authorities and pharmacies.

After the applicant’s passing, the relevant authorities will be informed. Athanasios will notify the firm of undertakers and arrange for the desired funeral form, including any transportation abroad. Residents of Switzerland are responsible for the funeral costs, specifically for the coffin, body transport, cremation, the urn, and its shipping. For foreign applicants, these costs are included in the total amount, which is why there is a tariff difference.

Swiss citizens an Swiss residents can have their VAD at their own home.

After the loss of a loved one, Athanasios offers on-site support for relatives to assist them at this particular time
We provide emotional support through conversations and counseling to aid in the grieving process, taking into account the individual needs of the bereaved. Our grief counseling, in collaboration with experienced professionals, enables the relatives to process their emotions. The aim is to provide the bereaved with the space and assistance they need to cope with the loss.

  • Assisted suicide is legal in Switzerland if the assisting person acts without self-interest.

  • Requirements: Full decision-making capacity and control over one’s own death (Art. 115 Swiss Criminal Code, BGE 133 I 58).

  • For neurological or mental health conditions, Athanasios can arrange an independent professional if needed.

  • The infusion is activated by the client to ensure voluntariness.

  • A specially designed device allows clients, even with tetraplegia, to operate it independently.

  • Athanasios provides full support, guidance, and preparation for a safe FTA process.