Death and Dignity, a Basic Human Right

Every person has the right to die with dignity. It is a basic human right. Unfortunately, it is not always possible, as death often comes suddenly and without any warning. Death is inevitable for everyone, a reality with which each person is confronted, at one time or another. 

When a person is aware that he or she is dying, it may be possible to make plans with respect to his or her pending death, in order to ensure that his or her dignity is maintained. That is not always possible, depending upon the person's individual circumstances. Sometimes, others have to assume that responsibility.

Taking a stand that argues that life is sacred, whether it is one's own life or that of someone else, allows each person a sense of human dignity, but because not everyone regards life as being sacred, how people die may prove to be a less than an ideal scenario.

Prolonging the life of a dying person who they love, is something that family members and close friends often strive towards, but even that is not always possible.

Medical professionals seek to prolong the lives of their patients, because their medical orientation is towards life and not death.

At times, how the life of a patient is prolonged, may be questioned or perceived by others, as being a human indignity. In reality, any medical measures that are taken in order to prolong a patient's life are likely to be the same as those that would be taken in any similar, medical scenario.

One's religious belief system or personal philosophy of life has a lot to do with how one perceives the pending death of oneself or another.

The highest ideal of maintaining human dignity is not always achieved with respect to someone who is dying. Sometimes, there is not enough time to carry out what would be regarded as treating a person who is dying with dignity. Even the dying person's wishes cannot always be carried out.   

But, does each person have the right to be treated with dignity, both in life and in death? To that, one must invariably respond in the affirmative. Again, one must argue that this is a basic human right. 

Christians take the stand that we are all created by God and in the image of God. He loves us and thus, we are taught to love Him and one another. It is God who gives life and He who takes life.

Love always responds to death with dignity. That is an indisputable fact.