Choosing When to Die: A Conversation on Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED)

In this episode of Comforting Closure - Conversations with a Death Doula, host Traci Arieli sits down with Crystal Flores, an end-of-life doula and owner of The Grateful Death, to discuss Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED) as a compassionate and empowering end-of-life option. 

Together, they discuss what VSED really looks like, from the moment a person chooses it, to the emotional and practical support that follows. Crystal shares her personal and professional experiences, including walking alongside a beloved family member during their VSED process. With gentleness and clarity, she talks about what this choice entails and how it can offer peace and autonomy at the end of life. 

Key takeaways include:  

• What VSED is and what it is not 
• How to emotionally and practically support someone through it 
• The importance of honest conversations and choosing your own path 
• The role of doulas, caregivers, and community in planning a peaceful death