1) What are the overall costs?

Required, Fixed Costs: 

Prescription Medication: $750                                                

Post-Mortem Arrangements: Cremation services average $1,325, plus optional $250 for shipment of the cremation remains. If you opt to have the body transported, the costs depend on distance and weight.  If you want copies of the Death Certificate sent to you from the funeral home, that cost is usually $95.

Variable Costs:                                                                                                                      Medical Appointments: These appointments are often covered by your insurance. If insurance does not cover the consults, the cost for three required appointments is: $1,309 total.

Travel & Accommodations: Your travel distance, mode of transportation and the configuration of your doctors’ appointments will determine these costs. Hotel Prices and Airbnb accommodations: Range is $150-$350 per night.

Ingestion Day Location: The Comfort Project has a dedicated space for ingestions, and the owners of this home ask for a suggested donation of $200.

The Comfort Project Services: Please see information about the costs of our services on our website. 

2) Where do ingestions take place?

The Comfort Project has a dependable location for the day the medicine is taken. There are a few Airbnb listings that are sometimes available for stays that include the day of ingestion. These are listed on our Client Portal.

3) Does the medicine ever not work?

The compounded formula has been carefully tested and refined over twenty years. It is the standard formula used by all states where Medical Aid in Dying is legal. The medication is effective when taken as directed. Your Wayfinders and medical team will review in advance how to prepare and what to expect, so you feel confident and supported.

4) Why do I need to be enrolled in hospice both at home and in Vermont? 

Most doctors require patients to be enrolled in hospice in their home state. This ensures comfort, safety, and compassionate care before you go through the steps to come to Vermont. When you arrive in Vermont for ingestion, your hospice care will be transferred to our local hospice. This coordination ensures continuity of medical and emotional support across locations.

5) What happens if I'm not able to self-ingest by the time my final appointment takes place?

Vermont law requires that you be physically capable of self-administering the medication. If you lose that ability, you would no longer qualify for Medical Aid in Dying. We can help you explore timing and options in advance to honor your wishes within the legal guidelines.

6) Why do we request two weeks’ notice for an ingestion?

Leading up to the day the medicine is taken, many logistics require finalizing and coordination:

• Our local hospice (Bayada) needs advance notice to plan staffing

• The compounding pharmacist must prepare the medication

• The Comfort Project must secure a safe location and ensure two Wayfinders are available for the ingestion

7) What if I don't want to ingest right away after my final doctor appointment?

If there is a significant gap between your final doctor appointment and your desired ingestion date, your doctor may want to see you one more time for a brief follow-up visit to ensure you still meet all criteria for Medical Aid in Dying. This is something you will discuss with your prescribing doctor. If you receive “green lights” at all doctor visits, the decision if/when to take the medicine ultimately rests with you. There is never any pressure to follow through with taking it.

8) Why can't I take the medicine back home with me across state lines? 

Federal law prohibits transporting controlled substances across state lines. The medication must remain in Vermont and can only be used here, in accordance with Vermont's Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) law. All steps of the process must take place in Vermont.

9) What funeral arrangements are available?

Information on our Client Portal covers different funeral arrangements, including transporting a body back to your home location, cremation in Vermont, and green burial.

10) Will my death certificate reflect that I used Medical Aid in Dying?

No. The death certificate lists the underlying terminal illness as the cause of death, not the ingestion of medication. This is consistent with Vermont's Act 39 and helps preserve privacy for you and your family.

11) How will I get the death certificate and from whom?

The Death Certificate is filed with the State of VT and Social Security is notified as part of the cremation fee. It takes 2-4 business days.  There is more information on the Client Portal.

12) What bereavement support is available to survivors?

You can access bereavement support services by contacting your local hospice organization. The Comfort Project also provides resources on our Client Portal about online grief support groups for people living with MAID-related loss.