Living will.
Your choices, calmly put in writing.
A living will lets you write down today your choices about medical treatment, in case one day you can’t express them yourself. It’s an act of care for yourself and for the people close to you, who won’t have to guess what you would have wanted.
What a living will is, in plain words
An act of care for yourself and for the people close to you.
A living will is a document in which you write down your wishes about medical treatment: what you accept, what you refuse, what matters to you. It applies if, in the future, you are unable to decide or communicate, for example after an accident or a sudden illness.
“Living will” is the name most people use. In the English version of Swiss law it’s called a patient decree (Swiss Civil Code, arts. 370–373); in German it’s a Patientenverfügung (in French, directives anticipées).
Four questions, four short answers
The person who speaks for you
In your living will you can name someone you trust (often simply called your representative or therapeutic representative) to talk with your doctors and decide on your behalf. Choose them calmly and talk to them first: they need to know your wishes well to make sure they’re respected. If you don’t name anyone, the law sets the order, starting with a spouse or registered partner who supports you.
Switzerland, in brief
The rules are set by Swiss federal law. Here are the essentials; for the details, the official sources apply.
Writing it
- Put it in writing, then date it and sign it by hand. It doesn’t have to be handwritten throughout, and you don’t need a notary.
- Describe the situations and treatments you have in mind as clearly as you can. Doctors must follow it, unless it breaks the law or there is real doubt that it reflects your wishes.
- Writing it costs nothing, apart from any advice you choose to get.
- You can change or revoke it at any time: in writing, or by destroying the document.
Sources: ch.ch, Patient decree · Swiss Civil Code, arts. 370–373
Keeping it findable
- You can have the fact that you have a living will, and where it’s kept, recorded on your health insurance card.
- If you have an electronic patient record (EPR), you can store it there too.
- If you can no longer decide, your doctor checks your insurance card and follows your wishes. If they aren’t respected, someone close to you can turn to the child and adult protection authority (KESB).
- Give a copy to your GP and to someone close to you, and carry a card saying where it’s kept.
Sources: Swiss Civil Code (English) · Geneva judiciary, adult protection
Talk to the people you love and to your doctor
A living will works best when it isn’t a surprise. Talk to your representative, your family and your doctor. Three sentences to get started:
A copy of your living will, in the right hands
Erabox doesn’t replace the form required by law: you make your living will as described above. With Erabox you can keep a copy safe, together with a letter that explains your choices in your own words.
Add a copy
In a Documents capsule, with a message for the person who receives it.
Choose who will receive it
Your representative, a family member, your doctor.
Choose when
On a set date, or when your Guardian confirms the time has come.
You can keep your living will in every Erabox plan.
Living will: frequently asked questions
Any other questions? Write to us via Help.
Other words, for other moments
Your choices,
in your own words.
Write the letter that goes with your living will today.