After someone dies from taking the voluntary assisted dying medication, you can follow any usual traditional ceremonies and practices or religious and cultural rites.
Read more information about Sorry Business for Aboriginal people.
People can approach the death of a family member or friend in different ways. If they died at home, you may want to sit with your loved one for a while, or you may prefer to make arrangements immediately such as contacting a funeral service.
If your loved one has chosen to take the medicine themselves (self-administration), they are required to nominate a contact person as part of the process.
If you are the nominated contact person, you will have received information from the Voluntary Assisted Dying Board on your responsibilities as a contact person. You must adhere to these responsibilities.
If your loved one has chosen to be given the medicine, the administering practitioner will be present when the death occurs.
If the death happens in a hospital or care facility, the staff can help and support you through the process. You can have time alone with the person before the nurses explain what needs to be done. Some people want to wait until other family members or friends have had the opportunity to say goodbye.
The administering practitioner must remove any unused or remaining medication.