New York State Funeral Directors Association
A lawsuit filed by parents who understandably believed they buried their entire son took an entire decade to be resolved.
Despite the lengthy review and appeals process, the decision still leaves me no closer to knowing how much of my body the government will allow me to bring to my grave.
The child’s parents thought they’d buried ALL of their teenaged car crash victim before the kids’ fellow students saw part of him on display during a tour of the local medical examiner’s office.
It’s not hard to find examples of disrespectful treatment of people’s bodies, but it’s most disheartening to me when it happens to people who donate themselves to science.
It’s a selfless act that I’m certain helps surgeons learn to sew up a burst appendix or find an artery in order to save a life.
I offer my sincere gratitude to all who make this decision.
The skeletal remains of a man were passed between science and art classes at a British school for more than four decades until the bones were found to be real.
Then the students – with the help of a local funeral home – did the right thing. They held a funeral.
It’s one of few positive developments I’ve seen in the realm of the #Unliving – those who have passed away yet end up being put on display or used as props and decorations.
SympathyNotes is written to stimulate discussion of death and grief. Opinions do not reflect the views of NYSFDA.
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