Chapter 4: What’s different about grief after MAiD?
If you weren’t aware the person had MAiD
I didn’t know until much later that she had chosen MAiD. I felt hurt that I wasn’t told. I wish her family knew I would have been okay with it.
You may not have been informed about the assisted death, either before it took place or immediately afterwards. It can feel hurtful if you felt “left out” or on the “outside.” This can decrease your trust in those who you felt excluded you. You might also have feelings of anger or betrayal.
Click on the arrows below for ways you may have felt
excluded:
You may not have known the person was thinking about having an assisted death.
You or members of your family may not have been invited to be present when the person died.
You may not have known how the person died until much later.
Click on the arrows below for examples of how this may have affected you:
You may not have been able to have a final goodbye.
You may not have been able to resolve an outstanding issue.
You may not have been able to have the meaningful conversations you had hoped for.
What may help
Give yourself and others some time and space.
If you find yourself struggling, consider consulting an experienced grief counsellor or your healthcare provider.
