Exploring contemporary forms of aid in dying: An ethnography of euthanasia in Belgium and assisted suicide in Switzerland. Issue 7 (9th August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hamarat, Natasia; Pillonel, Alexandre; Berthod, Marc-Antoine; Castelli Dransart, Dolores Angela; Lebeer, Guy
• Is Part Of: Death studies. Volume 46:Issue 7(2022)
• Page Start: 1593
• Page End: 1607
• Publication Date: 2022-08-09
• Subjects: Death -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Terminal care -- Periodicals; Death -- Moral and ethical aspects -- Periodicals; 306.9
• DOI: 10.1080/07481187.2021.1926635
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0748-1187

Abstract

Abstract: Drawing on two case studies from large-scale fieldwork carried out on euthanasia in Belgium and assisted suicide in Switzerland, this article focuses on the processes of normalization that structure aid in dying. Normalization takes place through a set of apparatuses only partially derived from current legislation, which underlie the relationships that develop between those requesting aid in dying, healthcare staff, volunteers, and loved ones. The resulting arrangements are specific to each national context, but the empirical data also point to broadly common traits, highlighting new paradigmatic forms of aid in dying in the contemporary era.