Sobering reason euthanasia can end up being more expensive than you might think

Warning: This article contains discussion of assisted dying which some readers may find distressing.

A campaign group, which is advocating for the introduction of an assisted dying law in the UK, has highlighted the costs of euthanasia, including ones which people likely hadn't considered.

Campaign for Dignity in Dying believes that there has been a shift of views on assisted dying in parliament, with MPs from every major political party supporting a change in the laws.

A petition calling for just such a law has also gained over 200,000 signatures from the public, while the House of Commons has called for a 'thorough and fresh' debate and a free vote during the next parliament.

The campaign believes it is a sign that change to assisted dying laws is coming to the UK, as they say that currently assisted dying for Brits has been 'outsourced to Switzerland'.

They highlighted the costs involved with travelling to Switzerland for people who want euthanasia.

Euthanasia can be more expensive than many anticipated. (Getty Stock Photo)

Campaign for Dignity in Dying has calculated that someone seeking to travel to Switzerland for assisted dying can spend between £6,500 and £15,000.

They explained that, on average, it cost the people they interviewed £10,000, and some of the costs involved could be 'surprising'.

They found that many people helping their relatives with assisted dying also booked a return plane ticket for them in case they changed their mind, which is an option clinics like Dignitas maintain right up until the final moment.

Booking a return ticket can also help dispel suspicion as to the purpose of the trip, as helping someone with assisted dying is illegal.

A man who accompanied his mum to Dignitas in 2016, after she decided she wanted to seek help with dying, told LADbible it cost them around £12,500.

Campaigners have warned that some who wish to access assisted dying don't have enough savings to afford it. (Getty Stock Photo)

The campaign warned that many households in the UK do not have enough savings to afford something like euthanasia.

They are calling for a change in the law to allow adults who are terminally ill and mentally competent to have access to euthanasia in the UK.

In 2021, they warned that around 50 Brits a year were travelling to Dignitas for assisted dying, and that between 300 and 650 terminally ill people took their own lives, with the attempts being around 10 times higher than that.

They are hoping that the UK can introduce assisted dying with proper safeguards and a clearly defined process, which will allow people to have the option.

The model they are advocating for is based on the US state of Oregon, with similar versions adopted in Australia, New Zealand and some other US states.

Topics: Health, UK News, World News, Travel, Money

Joe Harker

Joe graduated from the University of Salford with a degree in Journalism and worked for Reach before joining the LADbible Group. When not writing he enjoys the nerdier things in life like painting wargaming miniatures and chatting with other nerds on the internet. He's also spent a few years coaching fencing. Contact him via [email protected]

@MrJoeHarker