Living wills and advance directives

What is a living will?

A living will, also known as advance directives, is a legal instrument that allows a person to record instructions — accepting or refusing — about medical and therapeutic treatment, in case they fall ill and cannot express themselves and wish to have a dignified death.

It is used by people who do not want their life to be prolonged artificially in the case of an irreversible, incurable illness or a vegetative state that will very probably lead to death, where there is no hope of recovery.

A living will can also appoint a representative to deal with the doctor or medical team and ensure that the instructions in the document are followed when our physical or mental state prevents us from expressing our wishes.

This type of document can also state whether we wish to be cremated or buried, among other things.

It also records our decision on organ donation and on what should happen to our body after death.

Where should I register my living will?

The document is added to your medical records in your region’s public health system, making it easier for doctors to know and follow the patient’s wishes.

If there is no living will or advance directives, bear in mind that it will be the relatives who step in and decide.

Who can make a living will?

Any adult in full possession of their mental faculties can make one.

Its content can be revoked or changed at any time by making a new document, which cancels the previous one.

Less than 1% of the Spanish population has made a living will. Yet it is an important document to ensure that, in the event of incapacity, your wishes about medical treatment will be respected — and it relieves your relatives of the responsibility for those decisions.