End of life care in the Jewish community

Orthodox Jews believe they do not own their body but are invested with guardianship over life and soul including making significant efforts to preserve life despite prognosis. This means that:

Nothing may be done to hasten death - including withdrawal of water, nutrition, oxygen or medication
Information should be presented to sustain hope and avoid despair leading to the patient giving up
Each family is encouraged to consult a competent Rabbi who can assess every risk benefit decision carefully for Halachic implications

A Rabbi will always take account of a patients pain or suffering in decisions to provide palliation or ‘heroic’ treatments.

Orthodox Jews may wish to complete an advance directive about medical treatment, which states clearly what they would like to happen in the event that they lack the capacity to make decisions in the future. The Interlink Foundation has developed an advance directive and training material for professionals, both of which are available at the bottom of this page.