When end-of-life support rhymes with assisted suicide: The experience of relatives in Western Switzerland

In Switzerland, assisted suicide is mainly accessible to the members of right-to-die organizations and its practice has increased in a specific legal context. The way the relatives are involved in this helping-to-die process is widely unknown. This article analyzes this singular end-of-life assistance and care, which takes place through a process where illness trajectories have to be reconciled with the standard procedure for assisted suicide. We highlight how the relatives are involved in a large range of emotional and instrumental activities in their daily lives: they are empathetic toward suffering, care, help get medical certificates, negotiate the day of the death and the choice of people to be informed about this decision.