A study conducted by a UK provider of pre-paid funeral plans has revealed that 68% of respondents support the new, proposed Assisted Dying Bill. Some of the reasons for supporting the bill are to stop suffering and pain, and to die with dignity.
New research commissioned by Ecclesiastical Planning Services has revealed that out of 1,500 people surveyed, 68% support the new, proposed Assisted Dying Bill (1,020). Of the 68% who support the bill, 70% were female and 64% were male.
The study, conducted by pre-paid funeral plan provider – Ecclesiastical Planning Services, polled 1,500 British adults, all aged 50 or over. The survey was conducted as part of research into the attitudes of the British public towards death and how people feel about the proposed Bill. The Bill is intended to legalise assisted dying as a choice for terminally ill, mentally competent adults in their final months of life.
Initially, all participants were asked ‘To what extent do you support or oppose the new, proposed Assisted Dying Bill?’ 38% strongly support the bill, 30% somewhat support the bill, 10% are neutral, 9% strongly oppose, 6% somewhat oppose, 7% are not sure, and 1% would prefer not to say.
To understand respondents’ answers above, the survey then asked the same group of people what their reasons were for their support or opposition.
Some of the reasons for supporting the Bill were to stop suffering and pain, that we don’t allow pets to suffer in this way, and we should have the option to die with dignity. One person commented that they wouldn’t want to live if they had a terminal illness with no quality of life, and they wouldn’t want family or carers to look after them. Some of the other reasons for opposing the Bill were that it could lead to abuse, it is against religious beliefs, and it could be misused.
The Bill, named; the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, if introduced, will have safeguards put in place to protect those who are over 18, terminally ill, and who wish to be given assistance to end their own life. Some of these safeguarding measures are:
• being a resident of England or Wales and registered with a GP for at least 12 months
• expected to die within six months
• having the mental capacity to make the choice, free from coercion or pressure (two independent doctors will complete an assessment)
• two separate declarations will need to be made by the individual, witnessed and signed
• a High Court Judge must hear from at least one of the independent doctors
• the form of death would be prescribed, self-administered life-ending drugs
• doctors would not be under any obligation to take part in the assisted dying process
Emma Simpson, Marketing Manager at Ecclesiastical Planning Services, said, “Regardless of opinions on this very important matter, similar to funeral pre-planning, we encourage having these difficult conversations in advance, so loved ones are aware of your individual preferences.” You can find out more here - www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2l7m6r55do, or download the PDF here - https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3774/publications.
This information is correct as at December 2024.
Source: OnePoll research of 1,500 UK residents aged 50 and above, on behalf of Ecclesiastical Planning Services, November 2024.