ABOUT US

A successful suspension at Southern Cryonics facility is dependent on your body being delivered to our facility in an optimal state. The preparatory procedures required to achieve this, referred to as SST and described below, and are not performed by Southern Cryonics. However by arrangement, we can engage our sister company CryoPath to perform them on your behalf. See Funding FAQ.

STANDBY

Monitoring by emergency response team until legal death is pronounced. With the aim of starting stabilisation of the patient’s deceased body and brain as soon as possible. Performed prior to suspension by CryoPath.

STABILISATION

Cooling, CPR support for minimal brain function, and perfusion with cryoprotectant by medical professionals. With the aim of limiting ischaemic injury to the brain and so minimising functional damage. Performed prior to suspension by CryoPath.

TRANSPORTATION

Maintenance at dry-ice temperature throughout the trip via air freight to Southern Cryonics. With the aim of keeping the body in its temporarily stable state until vitrification can be achieved. Performed prior to suspension by CryoPath.

SUSPENSION

Cryonic suspension is performed by Southern Cryonics upon your arrival at our facility. It involves encasing of the body, deeper cooling to a vitrified state over several days, placement head-downward in a stainless-steel vessel or ‘dewar’ designed especially for cryopreservation, and long-term maintenance of a liquid-nitrogen storage environment in the dewar. This environment can essentially prevent deterioration of the tissues for centuries if necessary.

There are several cryonics facilities overseas, but these are geographically remote from Australia: in USA, Russia, China and Switzerland. Southern Cryonics fills the need for a cryonics facility in our local region:

• In Australia, our remoteness from overseas facilities complicates the transportation process, with long flights and multiple opportunities for administrative delays.
• Because delays can compromise the controlled temperature conditions that are required after perfusion with cryoprotectants, an overseas suspension is more risky than a local suspension.
• A different legal system and an inconsistent application of laws, especially to foreigners, can cause further uncertainties.
• Payments, either by life insurance policy or lump sum, are subject to exchange rate risks. And high transportation charges add to the total cost.

At both Southern Cryonics and CryoPath, procedures are based on those of cryonic facilities in USA who are well established and have a renowned reputation. The USA websites provide detailed information on the cryonic process:

• Alcor Life Extension Foundation
• Cryonics Institute

Other overseas facilities also provide further information on cryonics:

• Cryonics UK
• KrioRus
• Oregon Cryonics
• Tomorrow Bio
• Yinfeng Life Science Research Institute

‘Why Cryonics Makes Sense’, a well-researched article by Tim Urban on the ‘Wait But Why’ blog. This article comprehensively discusses cryonics. It includes a review of the range of scientific opinion on cryonics, and gives the responses from those who are most familiar with the technology because they perform cryonic suspensions.

‘The Science Surrounding Cryonics,’ an MIT Technology Review article.

‘At What Moment are You Dead?’, a 5-minute TED-Ed lesson by Randall Hayes

‘The Three Camps of Brain Preservation’, an introduction to the technologies and options, written by John Smart from the Brain Preservation Foundation

‘The Engines of Creation’, a book by Eric Drexler, written in 1986 — see Chapter 9 on Cryonics

A signed open letter about cryonics from 62 distinguished scientists

‘Will Cryonics Work? Examining the Probabilities’, scholarly essays by Stephen Harris M.D. and Mike Perry Ph.D.

Southern Cryonics is a Not-For-Profit enterprise, the first cryonics storage facility in the southern hemisphere, serving an area across all states and territories of Australia, as well as New Zealand. Our facility is located in Holbrook, NSW, Australia.

Our mission is:

• To promote and make widely available scientifically-based cryonic suspension as a credible option for life extension.
• To provide a professional ‘one-stop’ service that makes cryonic suspension affordable and readily available in Australia.
• To create a positive consumer awareness for scientifically-based cryonic suspension.
• To promote scientific research into cryonic suspension, revival, and life extension.

CUSTOMER SERVICE CHARTER

Peter became interested in cryonics after reading Robert Ettinger’s book ‘The Prospect of Immortality’ in the late 1960s, and thought that, by now, cryonics would be widely available — sadly this is not the case. He has degrees in Science (chemistry) and Business Administration.

Peter worked in the marketing organization of a major multi-national oil company for over 30 years, with 24 years of overseas assignments including Thailand, Singapore, Japan and USA, where he held progressively more senior management roles. His main career path has been in strategic planning, project development planning and major project implementation management. Before leaving to progress personal business activities in 2008, he managed a gate-keeping team of high-level executives in USA, which vetted global capital projects totalling $1B and other projects (e.g. divestments) with value of further $1B.

Since then, Peter has owned and managed a private consulting firm. Currently, he is progressing personal projects to make cryonics more accessible and widespread.

George is an experienced mechanical engineer who has held a wide range of positions, including management. He has been a Director in several organisations mainly involved with corporate recruitment. George is now retired and has worked in non-profit organisations using his recruitment background to help less fortunate people find suitable employment. He is also a Founder and Director of our sister cryonics organisation, CryoPath, which is involved in standby, stabilisation and transportation of cryonics patients from the hospital bed to their chosen facility in Australia or USA.

Graham is a civil engineer who currently heads a successful business as CEO. His wealth of experience in the management of large engineering projects over many years has given him a sound business acumen and strong leadership skills. Graham has an abiding interest in cryonics and became actively involved with the Southern Cryonics team once he learned of their plans to construct a local facility. His technical expertise proved invaluable there, and his initial work is continually backed up with a close collaboration on the operational side. From the inception, he has shown his strong commitment to the project by taking out several Founding and Full Memberships to cover his extended family.

Mae developed a keen interest in cryonics towards the end of a corporate career in information technology (IT). Beginning her career with mainframe computer operation, she then moved into network support and subsequently followed a main career path in IT project management for over 20 years in the NSW Public Service. Throughout this time, her roles provided experience in business administration and team leadership at a senior level. Since retiring from the Public Service in 2014, Mae has actively returned to an early interest in design projects and is now able to combine this with her business experience in supporting emerging cryonics services in Australia. In addition to her governance role as company Secretary, she coordinates the office administration, online presence and client support for Southern Cryonics.

Phil has been pursuing various non-profit projects in the fields of cryonics and life extension for 25 years, and currently heads both the Cryonics Association of Australasia (CAA) and the Neural Archives Foundation (NAF) as a Founder and Executive Director. He is also a Director of our sister company, CryoPath. He has a degree in Science (Zoology and Genetics) and began his working life in biomedical research for many years with The Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service and hospital pathology labs. This was followed by 35 years’ experience working as a software developer and IT network consultant to multiple small businesses.

Neil lives near the Southern Cryonics facility and so is on hand to ensure that it is maintained in good operating condition. His role covers receiving deliveries of supplies, testing and cleaning of equipment, keeping of the grounds, and monitoring of security on a daily basis. And of course, coordination of activities when a new patient arrives and subsequently managing their suspension environment.

As a not-for-profit organisation, Southern Cryonics has benefited from the expertise of our Founding Members in various fields during its establishment. Going forward, we welcome contact from Members who would like to volunteer their knowledge and expertise, particularly in the fields of business management, medicine, science and construction.

Several factors determined the site selection for our facility in Holbrook, NSW:

• It is zoned appropriately for our regulatory requirements as a cemetery.
• It is equally accessable for patient delivery from our most populous cities, Sydney and Melbourne, either by air or road transport.
• It is situated on the Hume Highway, a major transport route which is already used for deliveries of liquid nitrogen to hospitals and universities in larger towns.
• Being relatively remote from densely populated areas, it will not be adversely affected by rapid property development and has a low crime rate.
• It poses a low risk from natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods and bushfires.

Stage 1 (the warehouse module) has been completed and is sufficient for an operational facility. Stage 2 (the office module) will be added later when budget constraints allow. It is not critical to the operation.

The land is 3,300 sq m in area. The stage 1 warehouse is 100 sq m and can support about 40 patients. Based on current mortality tables and our expected number of members, it will take about 28 years to fill those 40 spots.

The current warehouse building is easily scalable, i.e. warehouse modules of 100 sq m or more can be added as needed. Using our current construction method, the land can support about 600 patients. This storage capacity is forecast to be reached in 100 years. Using other construction methods in the future, such as building underground or adding a second storey, or by acquiring new adjacent land, the storage capacity could be significantly increased.

Clients of Southern Cryonics and their families may visit the facility by appointment. As the facility is a secured site, Southern Cryonics reserves the right to determine the hours of access depending on the availability of staff to accompany visitors. To request a visit, please contact Southern Cryonics.

Everyone involved with Southern Cryonics intends to be cryonically suspended, so we are diligent in maintaining management practices that give us the best possible chance of a successful suspension and eventual reanimation:

• Our staff have been trained in the methods used by established cryonic organisations in USA for the suspension and maintenance of patients. We have also visited both Alcor and Cryonics Institute to learn about their operations, and we have a close working relationship with them.
• We have in-house career experience in major capital project planning and implementation for very long-term projects. This has allowed us to set up comprehensive financial modelling to monitor the sustainability of our organisation and adjust where necessary.
• We maintain a conservative investment outlook in managing our funds. We aim to achieve a reasonable return at minimum risk over a long-term timeframe, allowing us to cover ongoing operating costs while growing our capital slightly ahead of inflation. Funds are therefore available to take protective measures against issues that might affect the organisation’s sustainability.
• As Not-For-Profit, any surpluses are re-invested in the organisation.
• Our books are audited annually and are reviewed for Members at the AGM.  

In the event that Southern Cryonics were to cease operating its facility, our Constitution and the Cryonic Suspension Agreement make provision (after payment of liabilities) for remaining funds to be used for the transfer of suspended patients to another facility.

The offer of Founding and Full Memberships were for initial investment in the project and are no longer available. They involved a non-refundable commitment of seed funding to Southern Cryonics. Founding and Full Members have voting rights.

CONSTITUTION. A contract is not required because entitlements for Founding and Full Members are described in the Constitution, available for viewing here. Entitlements include one free suspension for the Member OR anyone of their choosing, upon arrival at the facility, excluding extra services. This entitlement comes into effect after the operational commencement date of the facility (1 March 2024).

Whilst the CONSTITUTION does grant a free suspension, this suspension must be fully documented, as shown below. The following documents can be sent to a Member for electronic signing (via DocuSign) and are available here for prior viewing:

INFORMED CONSENT. Legally required, as per our regulations.

FREE SUSPENSION OPTIONS. Not mandatory. The Member may list someone other than themself to receive their one free suspension. Up to three (3) nominees may be listed in order of priority.

NEXT OF KIN AGREEMENT. Not mandatory, but it can avoid delays at the time of suspension. Your Next of Kin is legally responsible for the disposal of your body, and in the event of any doubt, this records their agreement with cryonic suspension procedures by Southern Cryonics.

RELIGIOUS OBJECTION TO AUTOPSY. Not mandatory, but it can avoid destructive procedures and consequent delays that would greatly diminish your chances of an optimal suspension, especially in the event of any doubt re cause of death.

CRYOPATH ARRANGEMENT. This formal arrangement is provided by CryoPath under Engaging Our Service. Signing is mandatory if you want CryoPath to provide your SST services. Note that you may arrange your own SST if you wish.

No, not without a specific arrangement. The membership entitlements of Founding Members and Full Members do not include any extra services such as SST procedures.

SST procedures are performed by another organisation (e.g. CryoPath) on a pay-as-you-go basis at the time of your actual suspension, varying with location. So they are currently unknown and can only be estimated. They must be funded separately as an extra service and pre-paid. This can be done at any time prior to suspension, and we can advise on options to accomplish it efficiently. The unused balance of your pre-payment will be returned to your estate or nominated representative.

For current SST estimates from CryoPath, click here: Costs.

Because SST costs vary with location, please use the Contact form to request an estimate.

We offer some options for payment of your SST in the future prior to your suspension, allowing you to retain control of your funds until then, as we are unable to manage pre-paid funds for individuals on an interest-bearing basis. If desired, we can further discuss your needs with you. Note that allowance should be made for SST cost pressures over time, either through interest accrued or topping-up for pre-payment methods, or through indexation for payment via insurance. In the case of a false alarm where a payment has been made, the funds will be returned to you minus any costs incurred.

LOAN AGREEMENT WITH CRYOPATH. Note that full funds must be received before any work can proceed, and sufficient time before your death should be allowed for our team to reach you, usually a few days. This funding method may suit clients wish to transfer funds in the short term because of advanced age or a diagnosed terminal condition with a limited life expectancy. Note that transfer of funds can potentially be delayed by the need for multiple transactions to comply with a daily bank transfer limit, by possible bank checks on large transfers, and/or by any required notice period before superannuation funds can be released.

FUTURE PRE-PAYMENT TO CRYOPATH BY YOUR REPRESENTATIVE. Note that full payment at the time of suspension is required for any work to proceed, and sufficient time before your death should be allowed for our team to reach you, usually a few days. Note also that it is your responsibility to make prior arrangements with your trusted representative, including any joint bank account, third party access or reimbursement that you deem necessary. This funding method may suit younger clients who wish to cater for future incapacitation. Note that transfer of funds can potentially be delayed by the need for multiple transactions to comply with a daily bank transfer limit, by possible bank checks on large transfers, and by the expiration of third-party access to a bank account upon the holder’s death.

EXISTING LIFE INSURANCE. If you choose CryoPath as your SST provider, you can arrange for Southern Cryonics to liaise with CryoPath on your behalf for life insurance. To meet the conditions necessary to ensure payment at the time of your suspension, an existing policy must be for yourself, the beneficiary must be named as Stasis Systems Australia Ltd (ACN 158 203 448), and the amount for this beneficiary must cover the SST estimate provided. The policy should be indexed to cover increases in SST costs over time.

NEW LIFE INSURANCE. If you choose CryoPath as your SST provider, you can arrange for Southern Cryonics to liaise with CryoPath on your behalf for life insurance. Our insurance broker deals with major Australian life insurance organisations and has experience sourcing suitable policies for cryonics. We can put you in touch. This option may suit younger clients without major health risks or dangerous occupations.

Whilst this is an untested area of legal regulation, there are several options depending on your requirements: testamentary, in vivo, and pooled trust funds. Please contact us for more info.

SUBSCRIBER. Now that Southern Cryonics is operational, membership is open to clients. Becoming a Subscriber requires the full suspension fee (usually funded through life insurance) plus a yearly subscription fee. A Subscriber does not have voting rights like Members.

ASSOCIATE MEMBER. A Subscriber becomes an Associate Member automatically (subject to Board approval) after 5 continuous years as a Subscriber after the Facility Commencement Date (see the Constitution). An Associate Member has voting rights.

You must be a Subscriber or Associate Member to have a Suspension Agreement, which describes your entitlements.

Yes. The Cryonic Suspension Agreement is your contract with Southern Cryonics. Our Sign Up process outlines the documents needed before you can be suspended with Southern Cryonics.

When you are on our books as a Subscriber:

• The cost of your suspension is significantly lower than for a non-Subscriber.
• All your relevant documentation can be signed and filed in readiness, enabling us to react quickly if you need a suspension. Otherwise, a waiting period applies while we obtain signatures on all the agreements, consents, etc. that are required for your suspension.
• You have access to cryonics-specific policies with major Australian life insurance providers.
• And if you are not insurable, you have access to our advice on other suitable methods of finance.
• You have ready access to CryoPath, whom we can engage on your behalf for Standby, Stabilisation and Transportation. This makes your suspension as timely and effective as possible.
• You can help steer the direction of Southern Cryonics as an Associate Member after 5 years as a Subscriber.
• You are on our mailing list and receive updates of our activities.
• You receive an Emergency Tag for your keyring, which shows the phone number to call if you or your representative needs to initiate our service in an emergency.

The Subscription Fee covers you for one calendar year (or part thereof in the first year). We will send you a renewal reminder in January each year, allowing a grace period because of the holidays. So you may renew at any time before the deadline, which is:

15 February

Whilst we do service the NZ area, there are certain additional considerations above those for Australia, leading some of our NZ clients to consider relocating to Australia to optimise their chances of an optimal cryonic suspension. These considerations include:

• Our insurance broker is unable to source a life insurance policy for a NZ resident. However, you may be able to find a provider.
• Our Australian SST provider (CryoPath) would have additional logistical issues for NZ, especially in the event of your sudden death there.

Yes. The following is a guideline only and should not be treated as legal advice. Instead, you should see your solicitor to ensure that your wishes regarding cryonic suspension are effectively communicated and properly worded so as not to delay the administration of your estate. Your Will should:

• Nominate the person to whom you wish to transfer your interment right. This can be Southern Cryonics.
• Include a legally sound expression of your desire to be cryonically preserved immediately after your death.
• Include a definition of Cryonic Suspension: the low-temperature preservation of your body after legal death, with the expectation that future medical technologies may enable revival. 
• Clearly specify your intention to undergo the cryonic preservation process.
• Mention any arrangements you’ve made with a cryonics organization, including the organization’s name (e.g., Southern Cryonics) and any membership details.
• Include instructions for the Executor to to cooperate with your chosen cryonics organization to fulfill your intention, and to facilitate payment through whatever means you have specifically earmarked for this purpose.
• Include a clause reinforcing that your cryonics wish must be respected. This can be a no-contest statement: ‘Any person who contests my decision to be cryonically preserved shall forfeit any benefit they would otherwise have received under this Will.’

Note however that a Will deals mainly with your assets, rather than with what happens to your body after death. In Australia, that authority almost always lies with your next-of-kin (or sometimes with the executor). By signing the Next of Kin Agreement, this person confirms that they will fully support your cryonic suspension.

Yes, especially if your health is deteriorating. If you have arranged for us to liaise with an SST provider on your behalf, these updates help us to organise the necessary logistics in advance so we can minimise any delays that could compromise the quality of your suspension. Details may be provided at your discretion, otherwise a general health status:

• Excellent: No problems at present.
• Very good: Starting to experience some issues, but no major problems at present.
• Good: Successfully managing some issues which are not debilitating.
• Fair: Have some issues which are expected to worsen in the long term but are manageable at present.
• Acute: Have debilitating issues that could escalate at any time.
• Chronic: Under care for serious issues that are currently life threatening.

Besides receiving early advice from you or your representative re your health status, we would like to mobilise our team about 3 days in advance if you are not expected to survive.

Generally, yes. Our funds are invested prudently to provide a modest return above inflation over the long term, intended to consistently maintain a current funding level that will cover both storage care and revival.

However, we have no way of knowing what the revival component of the fee will be when a procedure becomes available, and therefore we cannot know whether we would have funds available to cover it for all Members. We assume that, like all fees for medical procedures, it will tend to reduce over time. So, if an initial fee for a safe revival is too high, we would need to wait until the fee was lower or an alternative affordable procedure became available.

Some of our clients are using a separate long-term Trust to cover any additional fee (if applicable) above the funds that Southern Cryonics would have available at the time.  This could allow those clients to be revived earlier rather than waiting. We have a sister organization that provides different types of Trusts, ranging from pooled Trusts (the cheapest) to individual Trusts (the most expensive to setup).  

Whilst this is an untested area of legal regulation, there are several options depending on your requirements: testamentary, in vivo, and pooled trust funds. Please contact us for more info.

For full costs, click here: Costs.

Because the SST component of the cost varies with location, please use the Contact form to request an estimate.

Yes, under certain conditions. SST procedures are costed separately from the Cryonic Suspension Fee as an additional expense. However, for Subscribers and Associate Members, we are able to accept various payment terms on behalf of the SST provider to cover SST procedures, under the following conditions:

• The SST provider must be one with whom Southern Cryonics has an established relationship, e.g. CryoPath.
• The payment terms must be acceptable to Southern Cryonics and documented in your Cryonic Suspension Agreement.
• Because SST costs vary depending on your location and on supplier prices at the time they are incurred, payment will be based on an estimate, and any unused balance will be returned to your estate or nominated representative.

Our insurance broker deals with major Australian life insurance organisations and has experience sourcing suitable policies for cryonics. We can put you in touch after you become a Subscriber.

Your policy can cover both the Southern Cryonics suspension fee and your pre-suspension needs (SST). The amount of cover can be set depending on your SST requirements.

Yes, if it meets the conditions necessary to ensure payment to us at the time of your suspension. You will need to provide documentary evidence of the policy. The conditions are:

• The policy must be for yourself.
• The beneficiary must be named as Stasis Systems Australia Ltd (ACN 158 203 448).
• The amount for this beneficiary must cover the fees defined in your Cryonic Suspension Agreement.
• The policy should be indexed to cover increases in SST costs over time.

No, Australian law allows a superannuation death benefit to be paid only to a dependent or to your legal personal representative (the executor of your estate). Therefore, a company cannot be named as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy from your superannuation provider.

As a young person, you may not yet have been able to save the necessary funds for a cryonic suspension. However, with Southern Cryonics nominated as the beneficiary for the required amount and a signed Cryonic Suspension Agreement, life insurance is an affordable way to fund a cryonic suspension in the short to medium term. Because payment through life insurance is made automatically upon your death (subject to the regulations of the provider), your cryonic suspension is not jeopardized in the following circumstances:

• You do not have invested funds available for pre-payment.
• You have invested funds but want to effectively manage them while still relatively young. Note that we do not manage pre-paid funds on a long-term interest-bearing basis.
• You have no-one to transfer invested funds for you in the case of unexpected incapacitation. Note that in the absence of life insurance, we must receive your funds before your suspension can proceed.
• You have life insurance through superannuation, but it does not allow a company to be named as the beneficiary of the policy. In Australia, most life insurance through superannuation has this drawback.
• You do not have accumulated assets that can be easily liquidated to allow payment through your Will without challenge and within a reasonable timeframe.

Australian life insurance is generally affordable until the age of about 65 or 70 if you are in good health, insurable, and a permanent resident. Factors that can adversely affect this are as follows.

HEALTH HISTORY. If you have any previous significant health concerns (cancer, heart attacks, etc.), this may lead to loadings or exclusions.

FAMILY HISTORY. If you have a significant family history of a particular health condition, this may lead to loadings or exclusions.

SMOKER/NON-SMOKER STATUS. If you are a smoker, this will almost double the cost.

DANGEROUS ROLES. If you work with hazardous materials, or at heights, for example, a dangerous role may lead to loadings or exclusions.

PREMIUM STRUCTURE. Stepped versus level structure of your premiums will have differing costs.

PREMIUM FREQUENCY. If you pay annually, you will save approximately one month’s premium.

We understand that some Subscribers and Associate Members cannot obtain life insurance because of ill health, or that life insurance is unaffordable in their later years. We offer some alternative terms for payment in the future prior to your suspension, allowing you to retain control of your funds until then, as we are unable to manage pre-paid funds for individuals on an interest-bearing basis. If desired, we can further discuss your needs with you.

As with life insurance, the following funding methods can cover both the Southern Cryonics suspension fee and your pre-suspension needs (SST). Note that if using a pre-payment method when your suspension is not imminent, allowance should be made for SST cost pressures over time, either through interest accrued or topping-up. In the case of a false alarm where a payment has been made, the funds will be returned to you minus any costs incurred.

PRE-PAYMENT. Note that full payment is required for any work to proceed, and sufficient time before your death should be allowed for our team to reach you, usually a few days. This funding method may suit clients who wish to make payment in the short term because of advanced age or a diagnosed terminal condition with a limited life expectancy. Note that transfer of funds can potentially be delayed by the need for multiple transactions to comply with a daily bank transfer limit, by possible bank checks on large transfers, and/or by any required notice period before superannuation funds can be released.

FUTURE PRE-PAYMENT BY YOUR REPRESENTATIVE. Note that full payment at the time of suspension is required for any work to proceed, and sufficient time before your death should be allowed for our team to reach you, usually a few days. Note also that it is your responsibility to make prior arrangements with your trusted representative, including any joint bank account, third party access or reimbursement that you deem necessary. This funding method may suit younger clients who (1) wish to cater for future incapacitation, and (2) wish to avoid the uncertainty and possible complications inherent in the processing of a Will. Note that transfer of funds can potentially be delayed by the need for multiple transactions to comply with a daily bank transfer limit, by possible bank checks on large transfers, and by the expiration of third-party access to a bank account upon the holder’s death.

PAYMENT THROUGH YOUR WILL. At our discretion, we may accept payment terms from certain clients who have the capacity to make payment through their Will within an acceptable timeframe. This option suits clients whose suspension is possibly imminent because of advanced age or ill health, who already have substantial assets but few cash reserves, and who are therefore unable to arrange pre-payment.

Please note:

• Payment through your Will requires a Premium Subscribership that contributes to your estimated SST expenses (refundable upon payment from your Will), because SST costs are incurred at the time of suspension and so must be prepaid.
• We would need to assess your situation to minimise the risk of payment default. You would need to demonstrate the availability of sufficient unencumbered assets of known value which can be easily liquidated and are not likely to be the subject of challenge(s) from either current or future dependants.
• There can be many complications with Wills, and you would not be able to mitigate these after your death. Your suspension could be seriously jeopardised.

Yes.

Yes. This is done by submitting a new Cryonic Suspension Agreement. You would need to notify us of your intended change, and we can then send you a new Agreement for electronic signing. Such a change in funding method might be warranted because life insurance premiums have become too expensive with advancing age. You might wish to reduce your insured sum and complement your life insurance with pre-payment, or switch to full pre-payment. Or you might need to switch to payment through your Will.

For all funding methods, including life insurance and the alternative funding options described above, payment is made at the time of suspension (or within an acceptable timeframe thereafter in the case of a payment via your Will). Note that if you use a pre-payment funding method, full payment must be made prior to your suspension with sufficient time allowed for us to initiate our services, usually about three days. Otherwise, your suspension would be delayed until payment is made, and this could seriously jeopardize its success.

The multiple funding methods we offer are designed to cater for the varying circumstances of our clients in a cost effective manner. We do not offer term payment plans due to the overheads required for us to engage fund management services on your behalf. Instead, we suggest that the same goal is achieved through your use of a bank account to make periodic deposits and manage your investment until payment is needed. This allows you to maintain control of your funds while still relatively young and to use them if necessary as your circumstances change.

This does not preclude pre-payment via instalments at the time of suspension. In this case, instalments are often needed to comply with bank transfer limits, and the instalments would be made in close succession rather than on a term basis.

SST procedures require specialist expertise, and are provided by another organisation on a pay-as-you-go basis at the time of your actual suspension. So they are currently unknown, can only be estimated, and must be costed separately from the Cryonic Suspension Fee.

Usually, the SST cost estimate provided to you is for SST from your home address in Australia. If your home is outside of NSW, you are covered for other Australian states closer to NSW as well. SST costs for other locations, including overseas, are not covered unless specifically stated in your estimate.

Overseas SST costs can range from $100,000 to $200,000. If you make additional arrangements to cover this cost (see options below), we can work through ICE, which is Aaron Drake’s organization for international SST. Aaron is based in USA but operates globally. He is a leader in this field and is a trainer and mentor of our local CryoPath SST team in Australia. 

To cover the extra cost of SST overseas or interstate, your options depend on how often you travel, where you travel to, how much risk you think this presents, and whether you have a representative (family, friend, solicitor, etc.) to act for you in an incapacitating emergency. Your representative would need to let us know when an emergency occurs and transfer any required extra funds to us. Note that your Cryonic Suspension Agreement requires your body to be delivered to the Southern Cryonics facility, and the arrangement for Southern Cryonics to liaise with CryoPath on your behalf to achieve this depends on cost coverage among other factors. CryoPath will need to meet the upfront cost of the services they incur on a pay-as-you-go basis, so we cannot start work until those costs are covered. Options:

• Pre-payment of the extra funds. If you have a representative, and if the risk is relatively low, you might opt to put aside invested funds that your representative can access in the event of your unexpected incapacity and possible death. Note that Southern Cryonics does not manage pre-paid funds on a long-term interest-bearing basis.

• An increase of your life insurance policy’s coverage. This might be another option for interstate SST, especially if you can’t find a representative to act for you. For overseas SST, increasing the insured sum would significantly increase your premiums. However this option is used by some clients whose risk is high because they live overseas, work in a dangerous occupation, and want to be suspended in Australia rather than in one of the USA facilities or Tomorrow Bio in Europe.

If sudden death occurs in hospital, we would recommend that the patient be placed in the hospital cool room (about 5 degrees C) immediately after death. If the SST team can get there within about 48 hours, then they may still consider doing a perfusion with cryoprotectant. However, if ischaemia has occurred in the brain, severe damage can be caused by pushing perfusion solutions through areas where clotting has occurred. After about 72 hours, this can be the case, and perfusion would not be recommended. The preferred approach would then be a straight freeze rather than perfusion. The patient would be packed in dry ice (about -70 degrees C) and transferred to Southern Cryonics for further cooling and storage.

Note that if desired, the level of standby service can be increased to reduce the likelihood of sudden death without notice. Of course, this would increase the cost of SST.

With perfusion, there is a risk of toxicity in the cells caused by the cryoprotectant. However, studies have shown that the speed of cooling results in vitrification before the cellular structure can be adversely affected. It is possible that future technology could mitigate the toxicity and allow reanimation without an adverse affect on the cells.

With a straight freeze, there is a risk of damage caused by ice crystal formation in the cells. However, it is possible that future technology could repair this damage.

Whilst it is unknown what any future reanimation technology will be able to achieve, the prevailing belief at present is that if the circumstances allow, perfusion is preferred as an SST approach rather than straight freeze.

Yes. Pet suspension is available for both Subscribers and Non-Subscribers. For pet suspensions, there is no requirement to become a Subscriber and no additional yearly fee for an existing Subscriber.

The cost to suspend a pet varies according to weight. Please contact us for a quote.

Conditions:

• Pets larger than a human cannot be accommodated.
• Pet suspensions must be prepaid via a lump sum.
• SST is not included in the quoted price.
• It is the owner’s responsibility to arrange SST for the pet. We can give info on options.
• All legs of the pet must be placed alongside the body in a compact manner to minimise the space required.