Office of Primary Care and Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Program

Amelia Gennari, M.D., Larner associate professor of geriatric medicine and associate chief for clinical affairs for the Division of Geriatrics at the University of Vermont Medical Center (Photo: Nina Keck/Vermont Public)

(JANUARY 16, 2025) Amelia Gennari, M.D., Larner associate professor of geriatric medicine and associate chief for clinical affairs for the Division of Geriatrics at the University of Vermont Medical Center, says she wishes more people would talk about how they want to die. “This is a difficult conversation; this is a difficult situation. Dying is messy, and trying to figure out the path is really difficult.” But having an advance health directive and a trusted advocate can make the process much better for everyone. (Photo: Nina Keck/Vermont Public)

Research shows having an advance directive greatly reduces the decision burden and lessens depression following a loved one's death. Health experts say to think of it as a gift you can give to your loved ones.

Every state handles advance directives a bit differently. In Vermont, you don’t need a lawyer, a notarized signature or an official form. You can write your advance directive on the back of a napkin if you want to. Just make sure you include your agent's contact information and sign it in the presence of two witnesses who are not family members and not your agent. Once you do that, it’s a legal document.

If you want a ready-made form, the Vermont Ethics Network has an assortment of advance directive forms in 14 different languages that you can download. Other organizations offer advance directive forms for other states.

Experts recommend going over the forms with your doctor, as they can talk over different medical scenarios.