Nabestaan

Overview & Synopsis

For a so-called autonomous death—where someone decides, without the assistance of a physician, to end their life at a self-chosen time and in a self-chosen manner—there is growing attention in the Netherlands. The aim is to die in a dignified and humane way, preferably not alone. Often, the person making this choice is central, but what is the experience of those who remain behind, who have often ensured that their loved one did not die in loneliness? Krina Huisman issued a call to these individuals to share their stories. She asked them to write a letter addressed to their deceased loved one about their experience with autonomous death and the consequences of this way of dying for their further lives. In Nabestaan, Huisman offers a realistic and poignant portrayal of what a self-chosen death can mean for the bereaved and how they carry this loss with them.