By Tara David | Contributing Columnist
While working on estate documents, someone recently asked if they could use a living will at a Catholic hospital. This really got me thinking, so I decided to dig a little deeper.
A living will is a legal document that provides advance directives, more specifically, whether a person wants life-prolonging measures in an end-of-life situation.
Typically, this document states that when two doctors certify a person will not survive, would this person want to be kept alive with artificial means, such as a ventilator or artificial nutrition? While it may sound crass, some people commonly refer to this as “pulling the plug.” I reached out to a few Catholic churches, but unfortunately, I did not receive a response.
However, I was lucky to speak with Mary Carter Waren from Holy Cross Health Hospital in Fort Lauderdale. Waren is the mission leader of Holy Cross.
When asked how the Catholic Healthcare Ministry feels about using a living will to decline further life prolonging measures, Waren said, “The Catholic Church encourages people to have advance directives and living wills; the church feels an obligation to extend our living but there is no moral obligation to extend our dying.”
So, essentially, living wills are accepted in the church. Additionally, if able, a priest should always be called to administer any sacraments. Overall, it is wise to always consult with your religious counselor and officials if you are uncertain. In the meantime, hopefully, this clarified some of the Catholic views on the validity of living wills.
Cheers to peace of mind and smooth sailing ahead!
The main office of Tara David, Esq. of Estate Law of Florida, P.A. is located at 2211 E. Sample Road (Suite 101) in Lighthouse Point. Visit elflorida.com, email [email protected], or call 954-951-7274 for more information. Tara David offers complimentary consultations for estate planning and probate matters.