Supporting Tamariki Through Assisted Dying

Assisted dying recently became legal in Aotearoa, and whānau with a loved one facing terminal illness or intolerable suffering now have an additional option. This option brings with it a new challenge—how do we support our tamariki and mātātahi when a loved one chooses an assisted death?

Knowing when death will (likely) occur can provide families with a more specific time frame. Whānau have the option to plan the remaining time, prioritise meaningful moments together and create memories that tamariki can carry forward with them. With assisted death comes the possibility that children can prepare to say goodbye to their loved one in a way that feels right for them.

But this certainty and planned preparation also raises some tough questions that many whānau feel unprepared to navigate.