text: Cryonics is the scientific preservation of the human body, after legal death, at low temperatures in the expectation that future medical technology may be able to repair the damage of aging, the cryonics processes, and disease thereby restoring the patient to health.
  Isn’t this just science fiction?
  There are two basic stages to the process. The actual suspension using a process called vitrification is a currently proven approach to minimize the formation of damaging ice crystals and preserve the tissue structure for an extremely long time. The reviving of a person is for the science of the future. Although there are certainly no guarantees, current medical discoveries and the speed of scientific advances strongly suggests that revival will be feasible if we have time to take advantage of these advances. Cryonics gives us this time.
  Why would I consider it?
  It is an alternative to burial and cremation, both of which have no chance of revival. Cryonics has a reasonable chance.
  Why haven’t more people signed up?
  The below is a quote from the Alcor web site which summarizes the reply to this question based on their long experience in cryonics:
  “People don’t sign up for cryonics because it’s not traditional, they’re skeptical of anything they haven’t seen work, it costs money, they’re afraid of what their friends might think, they live in denial of their own death, they don’t want to think about the subject, they procrastinate, they don’t like life well enough to want more of it, or they are afraid of a future in which they may be alienated from friends and family and a familiar social environment.”
  I have heard about cryonics, but it is only for the rich. Isn’t it too expensive?
  The cost of cryonics is about the same as the ongoing cost of one takeaway cup of coffee a day. For the average person this buys a life insurance policy which provides funds for suspension and storage and also funds for future use through a long term trust.
  How safe are my funds?
  Life insurance is organized with established life insurance organizations. After suspension, part of the funds go to a recognized cryonics organization (the US organizations have over 40 years of experience) to handle your suspension and long term storage. Another part is left with independent, reputable long term trust organizations, usually with strict Government oversight. Funds in these trust organizations are invested conservatively.
  Why would I want to be revived in an old diseased body?
  At the time when the science is advanced enough to revive you, you will be revived with a healthy young body, repaired of all illnesses.
  I won’t know anyone in the future?
  The current life span is increasing at an accelerating rate. You may meet your children, grandchildren and/or friends in the future. Also, there is a strong chance of knowing your descendants. There may be others like you, such as a beloved spouse, who have been revived. And, very importantly, you will be young and healthy with ample opportunities to make new friends and adapt.
  How will I live in the future? I will not have skills?
  The final payout at the time of your suspension from the life insurance policy (that policy costing about the price a cup of takeaway coffee a day) also allows investment of about $50,000 in a secure trust fund. When invested conservatively you will have around $154,000,000 in 150 years. That’s about $2,000,000 in today’s money. Its certainly enough to give you a good start and to enable you to live and be trained for the opportunities ahead. And again please remember, you will have a young healthy body making it much easier to adapt to the world of tomorrow.
  If it doesn’t work I will lose my money?
  Let’s face it, after you die and are buried or cremated, you do not have your money anyway. Your hope is that your funds go to a worthy cause or relatives. It’s the same here. You nominate a time period after which you do not want to be revived. In the scenario where you nominate 150 years as your time period, if the science is not advanced enough to revive you by then, your accumulated funds are passed to your nominated charity or descendants. That would be about $154,000,000 (or $2,000,000 in today’s dollars) passed on in 150 years based on your wishes. This is the basis of the trust deed you have with the independent trust organization, not with the cryonics organization.
  Isn’t this just a scam to get my money?
  The vast majority of people involved in cryonics want to see others living very long fruitful lives. Those involved in cryonics are usually people with professional backgrounds, mainly in science or related fields. The aim is to make cryonics accessible to everyone who wants it. Every precaution is therefore taken to make sure your money is kept with established, reputable organizations. Even if you are not revived by the time period of your wishes, your invested funds with the trust organization are passed to charities or people of your choice. This is specified in the trust deed with an established trust organization and is completely separate from your arrangements with the cryonics organization.
  Even if I want to do it, organizing it is too complex?
  Yes, you are right! That’s where Cryonics Services Australia comes in. We want to make it simple for you. We can explain all you need to know and, for a nominal fee, organize everything that you require. We will also provide you ongoing guidance and be there when you need us.
  Isn’t it unnatural, immoral or selfish?
  Choosing cryonics is a very personal decision. Everyone should be free to decide their own future. If you feel strongly that it is unnatural, immoral or selfish then perhaps cryonics is not for you.
  Does all this comply with the law?
  Yes, most certainly. Cryonic suspension is only implemented after legal death. We have also had discussions with the NSW Health Department to ensure that we are compliant with applicable legislation for the local facility being built by Stasis Systems Australia Ltd.
  How do I make my loved ones comfortable with the idea that I want to be suspended?
  We understand that cryonics is not for everyone and we also sympathize that close family may see this as an unusual choice and not understand what is going on. At CSA we have a support program for your close family. There are three parts to it. First, we explain to them what will happen on the day of your suspension. We stress that you will be treated with respect by professionals. Cryonics offers far more hope, based on science, than burial or cremation. However, it is not a familiar process. Our aim is, with utmost sensitivity, to make sure that your family feel comfortable with all that is going on in what is a very traumatic period for them. Second, only if you or your close family wish, we will coordinate a religious or secular memorial service to help with their grieving process. We will try to make all the arrangements and minimize the burden on them. Third, again only if your close family wish, we will organize professional counseling to aid them through the grieving process.
  To find out more, email us on question@cryonicsservicesaustralia.com or phone 0450 653 827
  Our sincere aim is to coordinate all the arrangements so that you do not need to think about all the details or complexities to have a cryonic suspension available when you need it. Among the many things we do is organize all the right financial vehicles (e.g. life insurance, trusts) well before your suspension.