End of Life Washington
Free support, education and advocacy for the full range of end-of-life choices in Washington State, including Death with Dignity.
United States
North America About the society.
End of Life Washington upholds people's right to the full range of end-of-life choices, including Washington's Death with Dignity Act, through advocacy, education and support. It never charges for its services.
Founded in 1988 as the Hemlock Chapter of Washington State, it has worked under several names. Its members brought the court challenge that reached the US Supreme Court as Washington v. Glucksberg. Washington voters approved the state's Death with Dignity Act in 2008, and the society later pushed for the 2023 amendments that shortened waiting periods and widened who can take part.
Its volunteer client advisors help terminally ill people and their families understand their options, find participating doctors and pharmacists, and have someone present when the medication is taken. It also trains medical providers, offers free advance directive tools, including a dementia directive, and keeps a statewide hospice directory.
What they do
- Client supportFree guidance for patients and families.
- Death with DignityHelp finding providers and using the law.
- Advance directivesFree planning tools, including for dementia.
- Provider trainingResources and training for clinicians.
Where the law stands in United States.
Legal in 13 states and Washington D.C., and in Montana by court ruling.
- Status
- Legal (State Level)
- Member societies here
- 9
Other member societies in United States.
-
A Better Exit
abetterexit.org -
Choice and Dignity Inc.
choiceanddignity.org -
Death with Dignity National Center
deathwithdignity.org -
Dying Right North Carolina
dyingrightnc.org -
Final Exit Network
finalexitnetwork.org -
Hemlock Society of San Diego
hemlocksocietysandiego.org -
Maine Death with Dignity
mainedeathwithdignity.org -
The Completed Life Initiative
completedlife.org