How (not) to let go? Exploring the current ritual repertoire around euthanasia in the Netherlands

Euthanasia is often considered an individual choice, yet the process and the status passages are embedded in three dimensions-medico-legal, ritual, and personal-which are intertwined. This paper explores how individuals and their social circles manage and frame these dimensions and passages with ritual behavior. Using interviews and observations, this study explores the current ritual repertoire in the Netherlands surrounding euthanasia trajectories. Findings suggest these rituals mark status passages, reinforcing bonds and structuring the emotional and social experience of individuals and their networks. By framing euthanasia as a ritualized process, this study offers new insights into the interplay between agency, communal support, and end-of-life decision-making.