Planned end of life

It might seem almost sadistic or obnoxious to even discuss such a topic. How can one even think of “planning" death? For the most part, the logic is "One does not have a right to take away, what one did not create."

Planning the arrival

 Today we have reached a point in the history of the human race, where we can save the life of an undelivered baby, even if it comes into this world prematurely. Or imagine other critical conditions like a breach or the umbilical cord strangulating the infant or multiple babies or just any of the various conditions of distress.

We have medical and engineering technology to save the mother and the child. Often, we can even plan and determine the optimal date and time to bring the child into this world. This planning, for instance, could include the availability of the gynecologist, anesthesiologist, hospital bed etc. All this planning helps in increasing the probability of saving the mother and the child. In a country like India, even an auspicious date and time (muhurtham) could be taken into consideration.

Planning resources

This, in turn, results in the holistic welfare and happiness of the family. Also, it ensures optimal utilization of resources, medical, transportation, personnel, etc. One can imagine all the rushed driving and emergency admissions and anxiety which can be avoided.

Planning our health

So far what we have talked about is the arrival; let us now think of a similar approach of the other end. We know that when we come into this world, the one certain event for all is the culmination of life. Some, unfortunately, attain this without becoming old. Others live grow old, retire from work and enjoy life and time with next generation/s. For all this what is needed is reasonably good health. Of course, most (or at least many) of us have the option to plan our diet, our lifestyle, our health and in the long-term, old age.

Planning post working life

For the most part, in today's world, we plan almost everything we can. We plan our finances for post retirement, we plan our estate and prepare a Will to effectively and correctly transfer them to our children or next of kin. We even make a Living Will to define how we want ourselves to be medically cared for when we are unable to make decision for ourselves. 

Planning end of life

Many governments, including India and the United States of America have made it legal to have a Living Will which could result in "Passive Euthenesia".

So, can we plan death? It depends!