Can family play music, have a meal or perform a ceremony during a VAD death?

Australia · 29 August 2026 · 6 min read · Reviewed by Dr Kane Treble

Often, yes.

General information: This page gives general information for people in Australia. It cannot tell you exactly what will happen in one person's situation. If you have concerns about a symptom, medicine, treatment decision or change in someone's condition, contact their doctor, palliative care team, nurse or other treating health professional. VAD laws, forms and service pathways differ by state and territory, so confirm the current rules with the person's VAD practitioner or official VAD care navigator service.

Often, yes. If the person wants it and the place allows it, family and friends may be able to play music, share food earlier in the day, pray, sit in silence, read, sing, hold a cultural ceremony, invite a spiritual care person, or follow other meaningful practices around a voluntary assisted dying (VAD) death.

These plans need to fit with the person's wishes, the law, medication safety, the role of any practitioner or witness, and the rules of the home, hospital, hospice, aged care service or other setting.

VAD is operating in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory. News reports said the Northern Territory Parliament passed VAD laws on 27 August 2026, with implementation to follow. At 29 August 2026, an official operational commencement source for the Northern Territory was not verified for these pages, so the Northern Territory is treated here as not yet operational.

Start with what the person wants

The person choosing VAD may have strong wishes about the day. They may want music, candles, prayer, cultural practice, humour, quiet, certain clothes, photos, pets nearby, or only one person in the room. They may also not want ceremony at all.

Ask rather than assume. A plan that comforts one person may feel overwhelming to another. The person can change their mind about who is present and what happens.

Food and drink

A shared meal may be possible before the VAD medication is used. But the person may have instructions about fasting, nausea, swallowing, timing or other medicines. Ask the VAD practitioner or pharmacist before planning food or alcohol close to the administration time.

Do not mix VAD medication into food or drink unless that is exactly what the authorised instructions require and the person is self-administering or the authorised practitioner is acting within the law. No one should disguise medication or give it without the person's clear lawful request.

If the person is frail, very sleepy, nauseated or having trouble swallowing, a meal may no longer be safe or wanted. The ceremony can still happen in another form.

Music, prayer and cultural practice

Music, prayer, readings, smoking ceremonies, quiet rituals, blessings and other cultural or spiritual practices may be important. The ACT Government's public information says carers, family and friends can follow usual traditional ceremonies and practices, including cultural or burial rituals, after death.

In a private home, there may be more flexibility. In a facility, ask early about smoke, candles, incense, room numbers, visiting hours, infection control, photography, singing, food, pets and who can attend. Staff may be able to help find a workable option.

If an authorised practitioner or witness must hear or see a request, ceremony should not make that impossible. The legal step needs to be clear.

Photos, video and phones

Some families want photos or video. Others find this intrusive. The person should decide what they want while they can.

Be careful with live video or phone calls. Commonwealth law can restrict some VAD communications using a carriage service, such as phone, video, email or messaging. The rules are technical and can affect what practitioners can say remotely. Ask the VAD practitioner what is allowed before planning remote involvement.

Even when recording is allowed, get consent from everyone who may be recorded. Do not film the person or others secretly.

Children, pets and larger groups

Children may be present if the adults responsible for them, the person choosing VAD, and the setting agree it is appropriate. Children need honest preparation and one adult whose job is to support them.

Pets may also be possible in a private home or some care settings, but ask first. Larger groups can bring comfort, but they can also make the room crowded and emotionally harder. It may help to have some people say goodbye earlier and a smaller group present at the time of death.

After death

After the person dies, families may want time with the body, prayer, washing, dressing, cultural practice or quiet. What is possible depends on the place, the expected-death plan, the need for death certification, and any notification requirements.

Ask who should be called first and whether there are time limits. In many expected home deaths, families do not need to rush unless the plan says otherwise.

When to get help now

Contact the VAD practitioner, palliative care team, facility staff or care navigator if a ceremony may affect medication safety, legal requests, communication, children, conflict, or what happens after death.

Call 000 if there is immediate danger or a medical emergency outside the agreed VAD or expected-death plan.