»Death is a problem of the living,« wrote French sociologist Norbert Elias back in 1982—a challenge that affects not only individuals and how they grapple with mortality, but above all society’s approach to it. For Elias, the feeling of loneliness at the end of life is not a personal failure but a consequence of social structures that encourage us to exclude death from our everyday lives.

Hospice work purposely counters these structures with a human presence. In doing so, it fosters meaningful connection where otherwise withdrawal and silence would threaten to take hold. Our long-standing commitment to hospice and palliative care contributes to supporting a society that remains humane and takes responsibility until the end of life. Through a partnership project with the Austrian Savings Banks Association and Erste Bank, we also support the work and objectives of HOSPIZ ÖSTERREICH. They build personal relationships and connections where they are needed the most.

HOSPIZ ÖSTERREICH is the umbrella organisation for over 400 hospice and palliative care facilities throughout Austria. It is committed to enhancing the quality of life of terminally ill or dying people up until the very end. Multi-professional care aims to ensure that people can die with dignity and autonomy and as pain free as possible. Hospice and palliative care services must be accessible and affordable to everyone. Another important goal is to support qualification, training and continuing education for full-time staff and volunteers.

In 2025, HOSPIZ ÖSTERREICH produced a video series entitled »Legal Knowledge for the End of Life«. Starting point was a central question for those affected: Who will make decisions for me when I am no longer able to make them myself? There are complex medical, legal and ethical issues surrounding end-of-life decisions, and the Hospice and Palliative Care Funds Act and the Death Decree Act have raised numerous new questions.

The twelve videos provide clear, practical information (in German) on complex legal issues aimed at professionals and interested laypeople. They cover the basic principles and terminology—do you know the difference between a health care proxy and a living will? What does »assisted suicide« mean?—and discuss case studies.

We were keen to support the making of these openly accessible videos in cooperation with the Savings Banks Association, because education is key in allowing people to make well-informed decisions about their own futures. You can find the videos, an overview of the HOPIZ ÖSTERREICH’s activities, as well as further useful information for those affected at www.hospiz.at.

Images: Photographer: Ian Ehm