Final Exit Network’s Chosen Death Forum is an online discussion group to explore ideas, feelings, and concerns with like-minded persons regarding choosing one’s own time of death, either through medical aid in dying (MAID), voluntarily stopping eating and drinking (VSED), or other nonmedical means. The Chosen Death Forum is also for those whose loved ones are considering end-of-life options. One topic that comes up often is how to talk to our loved ones about our wishes that may include self-deliverance.

The Chosen Death Forum is facilitated by volunteers at Final Exit Network. Participants are distributed between smaller discussion groups (“break-out rooms”) which allows for intimate dialogue. Based on the model of the popular Death Cafes, the groups are essentially led by the participants and not the facilitator. What is shared is confidential and kept within the group. Because of the sensitive and sometimes stigmatized nature of these topics, special care is taken to provide a safe space for discussions and to keep the conversations focused.

Please note that there is no discussion of technical aspects of self-deliverance methods, including sources for equipment or drugs.

The Chosen Death Forum is open to Final Exit Network members who are eighteen years or older. This discussion forum is not appropriate for those in a reactive state who are suicidal. If you are feeling desperate or suicidal, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988. Current Exit Guide Program clients are also not eligible to join a Chosen Death Forum.

We currently meet the first Tuesday of the month at 3:00 pm Eastern Time (2:00 pm Central Time, Noon Pacific Time). The session lasts one and a half hours but participants are free to depart at any point. Members receive a monthly email with the Chosen Death Forum invitation and, after registering, they receive an email with the Zoom link to join the meeting. To foster discussion and a comfortable around-the-table feel, we require participants to have their cameras on throughout the session.