Death - should the departed's family have an intrinsic right to the body?

[miniaturehoarder]

Death - should the departed's family have an intrinsic right to the body? Should governments tell families, "Sorry, their rights end when they do, living people need these organs." After all, one can't refuse an autopsy on religious grounds IIRC, how much more difference does it make if the organs are not put back into the chest cavity?.

 

[Bullgrit]

If the body does not belong to the family, would the family still be held financially responsible for the disposal?

Bullgrit

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

1) in most jurisdictions, the state can (generally) only take the organs if the deceased voluntarily gave permission during life. The state taking control of the body away from the family would be...problematic...for legal & religious reasons, and currently requires a warrant. That means a showing of an important government issue. Not sure organ harvesting qualifies.

2) if the state DOES take control of the body, who pays for burial? Who ensures the wishes of the deceased are honored? If it is to the state, how big a check can I make them pay out to commemorate my death? Can I get a 20' tall obelisk?

3) religions & autopsies: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1705993-overview

 

[KirayaTiDrekan]

I think its important for people to make their wishes clear about that sort of thing before they die. Living will, will, whatever.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Can I will my body to a butcher? 'Cause I think I'd make some mean sirloins.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

You could, but he couldn't sell or serve you to the public.










In most places.
http://www.snopes.com/horrors/cannibal/nigeria.asp

"C'mon down to Hannibal's!!!"

 

[delericho]

Death - should the departed's family have an intrinsic right to the body?

While I'm alive, my body belongs (or certainly should belong) to me. Once I'm dead, therefore, the rights to it should be treated like any other asset - which in the absence of a will likely means they pass to the next of kin.

Should governments tell families, "Sorry, their rights end when they do, living people need these organs."

No, for the reason I gave above. I'm sympathetic to the needs for donor organs, and indeed fully intend to donate any usable organs after I'm gone, but that shouldn't be the assumption - any more than the government should be able to compel me to donate a kidney while still alive.

 

[JWO]

Organ donation should be an opt-out rather than an opt-in scheme, i.e. you specifically have to say that you don't want your organs donated after you die. I think there are a lot of people who would be happy for their organs to be used but haven't gotten around to signing up to it yet, and then their organs get wasted.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Sorry, but I'll vote no on that every time: opt-in raises fewer ethical concerns.

 

[delericho]

Yep, I'm with Dannyalcatraz on this one: they're my organs to give, not yours to take.