To most people, a death without closure is a bad death.
In many cases, death is not the worst outcome. Sometimes the worst outcome is to live a life of absolute agony. For instance, most people have watched one of their family members grow old and become extremely ill resulting in a death that wasn't painless, easy, nor intended. Euthanasia is the solution to one's pain and agony that couldn't be achieved by prolonging the life of a person through modern medicine. This merciful act is unselfish and is done willfully and not forsaking the gift of life that was given to them. Euthanasia, active or passive should not be confused with the act of suicide. Suicide is used as a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Euthanasia is a choice that someone would have to make on their own because they have as Catholics state God given free will.
Who would want to die knowing that at one point the final fatal blow is about to occur, or that they were being withheld alive because they are a living organism? I don't believe that too many people will feel this way. In fact, it's the direct opposite. ".For the majority of people who are dying, it will be sufficient merely to know that assistance is available. They will rest assured of comfort as they progress to their natural deaths, perhaps never needing the fatal dose that is ready" (Shavelson 66). Dying with peace is a feeling every individual would want and should posses that right. .
Another factor is the psychological aspect of the terminally ill. "Virtually everyone with a terminal illness who decided to take their life (and many who decide not to) fits the clinical guide-lines that would allow a psychiatrist to label them depressed, yet the depression of someone with a terminal illness is complexly different from the classical psychological illness" (Shavelson 40). There is a significant difference between those who are clinically depressed and those terminally ill who are depressed over their future outcome.
