A service described as a "boutique death clinic" has begun operating in New York, charging up to $12,000 for individuals seeking to end their lives through assisted suicide. The business, named Quietus, was co-founded by David Atkins, who previously spent years in a Buddhist monastery and aims to provide a tranquil environment for those choosing to die.
Assisted dying became legal in New York in August 2023, allowing terminally ill individuals with six months or less to live to obtain a prescription for self-administered medication. Quietus appears to be the first organization to offer a comprehensive service beyond the standard medical route.
Campaigners for assisted dying have highlighted cases like Ayla Eilert, a dancer who died in April 2022 after reportedly suffering from cancer. Eilert had allegedly begged doctors to hasten her suffering. Another case mentioned is that of Canadian actress Claire Brosseau, who has reportedly expressed a desire for a quick assisted suicide due to unbearable mental illnesses.
Patients typically receive a drug cocktail that can be taken as pills or a paste. In 2019, cancer sufferer Robert Fuller used Washington state's assisted dying laws for his end-of-life ceremony. Atkins, who has a background in hospice and palliative care nursing and spent years translating sacred texts at the Mu Sang Sa temple, established Quietus with nurse practitioner Daniel Cogan.
The emergence of these services, particularly one described as a "Zen monastery" for the dying, raises ethical and logistical questions as more states grapple with the legalization of medical aid in dying. The Daily Mail reported on the story, referencing the new business and the individuals who have utilized assisted dying laws in other states.