Final Exit

For the Indian film, see The Final Exit (film).
Final Exit: The Practicalities of Self-Deliverance and Assisted Suicide for the Dying
AuthorDerek Humphry
LanguageEnglish
SubjectSelf-euthanasia
PublisherDell
Publication date
1991
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint
Pages213
ISBN0-440-50488-0
OCLC26465758
Preceded byJean's Way 

Final Exit: The Practicalities of Self-Deliverance and Assisted Suicide for the Dying, often shortened to just Final Exit, is a 1991 book written by Derek Humphry, a British-born American journalist, author, and assisted suicide advocate who co-founded the now-defunct Hemlock Society in 1980 and co-founded the Final Exit Network in 2004. The book was first published in 1991 by the Hemlock Society US in hardback. The following year, its 2nd edition was published by Dell in trade paperback. The current updated edition was published in 2010.[1]

The book, often described as a "suicide manual", describes the means that the terminally ill may use to end their lives. The book further outlines relevant laws, techniques, and living wills.[2] Final Exit was perceived as controversial,[3] and the book drove debate regarding the right to die. Another concern was that people who were mentally ill could use the information found in the book to end their lives.[4][5] Despite the controversy, Final Exit reached #1 on The New York Times Best Seller list in August 1991.[6]

Final Exit Network claims that approximately 750,000 copies have been sold in the United States and Canada and approximately 500,000 elsewhere. The book is banned in France.[7] Final Exit is Derek Humphry's third book on the subject of self-euthanasia; it was preceded by Jean's Way (1978) and The Right to Die: Understanding Euthanasia (1986).

  1. ^ "Final Exit, 3rd Edition by Derek Humphry (updated April 2010) – ERGO". www.finalexit.org. Archived from the original on 2021-05-16. Retrieved 2022-05-14.
  2. ^ "4 assisted suicide group members are arrested". NBC News. 26 February 2009. Archived from the original on 2021-06-03. Retrieved 2022-05-14.
  3. ^ "Suicide Book Stirring Controversy And Sales". Archived from the original on 2018-02-04. Retrieved 2018-02-03.
  4. ^ Majchrowicz, Michael (July 6, 2016). "The Volunteers Who Help People End Their Own Lives". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on February 5, 2018. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  5. ^ Joyce, Jaime (27 December 2013). "Kill Me Now: The Troubled Life And Complicated Death Of Jana Van Voorhis". BuzzFeed. Archived from the original on 2018-03-21. Retrieved 2018-02-05.
  6. ^ Altman, Lawrence K. (August 9, 1991). "How-To Book on Suicide Is Atop Best-Seller List". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 13, 2018. Retrieved February 10, 2018 – via NYTimes.com.
  7. ^ "Questions – Answers". Archived from the original on 2019-11-30. Retrieved 2018-02-03.