Living Will Examples: Sample Language for Common Scenarios

One of the hardest parts of writing a living will is knowing what to actually say. Generic phrases like “no extraordinary measures” sound clear in the abstract but leave doctors and family members guessing in the moment. The examples below show concrete, unambiguous language you can adapt for your own document.

Important: These are samples to help you think about your wishes - not legal templates. Use them as starting points and adjust the language to reflect what you actually want. State requirements vary, so make sure your final document follows your state’s witness and notary rules.

Scenario 1: Terminal illness with no chance of recovery

Sample language:

If two physicians, including my attending physician, determine that I have an incurable or irreversible condition that will result in my death within a relatively short time, and I am unable to make decisions about my medical care, I do not want my life to be prolonged by life-sustaining treatment. I want to receive medication and treatment necessary to keep me comfortable and free from pain, even if those medications shorten my life.

Scenario 2: Persistent vegetative state

Sample language:

If I am diagnosed with a persistent vegetative state - meaning I have lost consciousness and there is no reasonable medical probability of my recovering consciousness - I do not want to be kept alive by any artificial means, including mechanical ventilation, feeding tubes, intravenous fluids, or antibiotics. I want only care that ensures my comfort and dignity.

Scenario 3: Advanced dementia

Sample language:

If I reach a stage of dementia in which I no longer recognize my close family members and cannot communicate meaningfully, I do not want aggressive medical interventions to extend my life. I do not want to be transferred to a hospital for treatment of infections or other reversible conditions; I prefer to be treated for comfort in my familiar setting. I would like to continue receiving food and water by mouth as long as I can swallow safely, but I do not want a feeding tube.

Scenario 4: CPR and resuscitation

If you want CPR attempted:

If my heart stops or I stop breathing, I want cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) attempted, unless I am in the final stages of a terminal illness or my attending physician determines that resuscitation would be medically futile.

If you do not want CPR:

I do not want cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) attempted under any circumstances. I understand this means that if my heart stops or I stop breathing, no chest compressions, defibrillation, or artificial ventilation will be performed. I want to be allowed to die naturally, with comfort care only.

Scenario 5: Pain management preferences

Sample language:

I want to receive whatever medication is necessary to keep me free from pain and discomfort, even if those medications may impair my consciousness, suppress my breathing, or hasten my death. I prioritize freedom from suffering over alertness in the final stage of my life.

Scenario 6: Artificial nutrition and hydration

Sample language (declining):

I do not want artificial nutrition (such as a feeding tube) or artificial hydration (such as IV fluids) in any of the following situations: terminal illness, persistent vegetative state, or end-stage dementia. I understand that the withholding of artificial nutrition and hydration in these circumstances is a recognized and legal choice, and I make this decision freely.

Scenario 7: Organ and tissue donation

Sample language:

Upon my death, I wish to donate any needed organs, tissues, or body parts for the purposes of transplantation, medical research, or education. I understand that donation may require brief medical interventions to preserve organ viability, and I consent to those interventions for that purpose only.

Scenario 8: Religious or spiritual considerations

Sample language:

My faith is important to me and I would like a clergy member from my religious community to be contacted and present with me during my final days, if possible. My specific religious wishes regarding end-of-life care are: [describe your wishes]. These should be honored to the extent they do not conflict with the other instructions in this document.

Scenario 9: Place of care

Sample language:

To the extent reasonably possible, I would prefer to spend the final period of my life at home, surrounded by familiar people and things, rather than in a hospital. I authorize my healthcare agent to arrange for hospice care or in-home nursing support to make this possible.

A few drafting tips

• Be specific. “No heroic measures” means different things to different people. Name the specific treatments you do or do not want.
• Address the gray areas. What do you want for situations that fall between “clearly recoverable” and “clearly terminal”?
• Explain your reasoning. A short sentence about why you made each choice helps your healthcare agent honor the spirit of your wishes when an unexpected situation arises.
• Update it. Revisit your living will every few years and after major life events.