Recorded on: December 9, 2025
Length: 60 minutes
Summary
Lawyer Zachary Murphy-Rogers and educator and end-of-life doula Christa Ovenell answer common questions about medical assistance in dying (MAiD) in British Columbia. They cover the legal process to request MAiD, what happens during a MAiD procedure, and how to navigate sensitive and potentially difficult conversations with loved ones.
Highlights
In this webinar, you will learn:
Eligibility and decision-making
What medical assistance in dying (“MAiD”) means. [4:35]
Who is — and is not — eligible to apply for MAiD in Canada. [6:20]
The difference between Track 1 and Track 2 MAiD eligibility. [10:35]
Whether you can request MAiD "just in case" something happens that makes your quality of life unacceptable, or entrust someone else to request MAiD on your behalf. [15:25]
The difference between a waiver of final consent, advanced consent, and an advance request. [18:10]
Whether you need to go through with MAiD if you request and are approved for MAiD and then change your mind. [24:00]
Whether a judge can stop a MAiD death if it has already been approved. [27:50]
Process and experience
What is required for the application process for MAiD. [29:45]
Where MAiD can take place. [32:25]
Who can be present during MAiD, and whether children should be present. [34:45]
What the experience of MAiD is like and whether there will be any pain. [37:00]
After-death and practical considerations
How long you have until you must move a body after a MAiD death occurs and whether, when a MAiD death occurs at home, the body can be left in place for a home funeral. [40:00]
Whether the chemicals used during the MAiD procedure prevent you from having a green burial, or from donating your organs or donating your body to science. [42:50]
Family and relationship questions
What to do if someone you love very much wants MAiD but you don't agree. [45:00]
What to do if you think someone should choose MAiD but they aren't open to the conversation. [46:40]
Audience questions
Whether you can re-apply for MAiD if you have cancelled it before. [48:15]
What happens if one doctor agrees and another doctor does not agree to the MAiD request. [48:55]
Who decides about mental capacity. [50:05]
Whether the cost of the MAiD process is covered by the BC medical services plan. [51:25]
What self-administered MAiD may involve. [51:50]
Whether the police will come to the door after a MAiD death. [52:45]
Resources to help family members of loved ones doing MAiD. [54:30]
Whether you need a lawyer to receive MAiD. [55:35]
Whether there are other provinces where the requirements for MAiD are more relaxed. [56:45]
Featuring
Zachary Murphy-Rogers
Zachary Murphy-Rogers is a lawyer at Clark Wilson LLP in Vancouver. He maintains both a litigation practice and a solicitor’s practice, exclusively in the areas of wills, trusts & estates, and elder law. Zachary recognizes that his clients want practical, cost-effective advice and solutions tailored to their unique needs, and he is committed to finding creative and appropriate solutions to resolve legal disputes.
Christa Ovenell
Christa Ovenell is a licensed funeral director/embalmer, an educator, and end-of-life doula. As the founder of Death’s Apprentice Education & Planning, she helps individuals and organizations navigate the practical and emotional realities of death and other significant losses. With deep roots in the education field, Christa is widely known for her grounded, compassionate, and profoundly connecting approach to matters of life and death. Follow her on Instagram where she talks about death...so we can make it a more normal part of life!
Attendee feedback
"Having already attended other info sessions on MAiD in BC, this one was by far the most engaging, informative and, yes, even entertaining at times! Excellent speakers, and content was clearly and attractively presented."
"Well structured and resourced, great guests."
"The presentation was very sensitive to the topic. The presenters were empathetic to how the information may be received as, to some in the audience, this was very personal. It was heartening to hear how the experience can be personalized. Thank you for providing honest and insightful information about the process."
"I appreciated the openness of both speakers related to MAiD."
"This was very helpful information. I feel I understand the process better, and will be able to make useful referrals."
"Thank you for your work to help us think and understand together."
"I appreciated hearing about MAiD from a procedural perspective. As was mentioned by one of the facilitators/presenters, it is an emotional topic and learning about it slowly and repeatedly helps increase understanding and compassion."
"Your presentations are current, on topic, and easily understood. Thank you!"
“Thanks everyone for all the wisdom."
"Thanks for covering so much on this process. Gradually more of the public are becoming informed. Thanks to all."
"Thank you so very much!! I was holding my sister's hand as she passed using MAiD."
"Recommending PEOPLE'S Law School is a privilege I am grateful for."
Additional resources
From the presenters:
On our People’s Law website we cover planning for the end of life, from estate planning to end-of-life care
At Death’s Apprentice, Christa Ovenell provides education and support in planning for death
At Clark Wilson, Zachary Murphy-Rogers assists with estate planning and elder law
On the MAiD process:
Each of BC’s regional health authorities has information on their process for MAiD: Fraser Health, Interior Health, Island Health, Northern Health, Provincial Health Services Authority, and Vancouver Coastal Health
The Ministry of Health has the forms involved in requesting medical assistance in dying
Support for people considering MAiD and their loved ones:
Bridge C-14 for peer-to-peer and community supports
Pancakes with Nana, a storybook about medical assistance in dying, by Chelsea Peddle
Patient Pathways for navigating the health care system
Also:
A.Y. v. N.B., 2024 BCSC 2004, a court decision involving medical assistance in dying