Topic: Opinions - Non-Religious treatments of human corpses?

[Desert Fox]

I am watching some videos of a UK based show "History Cold Case" and there was an episode with the mummified remains of a child (of around eight) who appears to have been sold as a medical cadaver before it was made legal. There is at least a possibility that he was murdered for this use as well.

The team argued, once their found out its probable history if they should tern it to the collection, exhibit as a  example of these practices, or bury the mummy. Ultimately, they decided to bury the body

What are opinions on the ethical treatment of human corpses? Obviously, most of us probably feel that the person does not care. Now, obviousy, while the family is still alive that should be considered as well.

[Karyn]

I say, baring knowing the wishes of the person or family, put it to whatever it's highest use would be - medical or forensic science first, if nothing can be made of that, turn it into fertilizer.

[andrewclunn]

I say, baring knowing the wishes of the person or family, put it to whatever it's highest use would be - medical or forensic science first, if nothing can be made of that, turn it into fertilizer.

Further providing an incentive to have a living will.  i like it 

[Vincegamer]

Soylent Green

[Anders]

It is every citizen's final duty to go into the tanks and become one with all the people.

[Karyn]

I say, baring knowing the wishes of the person or family, put it to whatever it's highest use would be - medical or forensic science first, if nothing can be made of that, turn it into fertilizer.

Further providing an incentive to have a living will.  i like it 

Living wills cover your medical treatment while still alive, for instance instructions on what measures to take if you are brain dead and DNR orders, or designating people to have direction over your medical care.  A regular will takes care of your estate after death.  Most people don't bother indicating specifically what they want done with their body.  That's usually up to the family to decide.  I also should have included organ donation first on the list.  Use and useable parts then science.

[Desert Fox]

Kind of more curious on thoughts on long dead corpses, especially ones with no know relatives?

Would you consider it immoral to display / use a corpse which the background is "Questionable?"

[EhJayArr]

Fuck 'em.

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[Shibboleth]

I think that we should treat the body of a person in the way they probably would have wanted to be treated.

I am all for necrophilia being illegal but I have no problem with people using sex dolls if that floats their boat.

[Desert Fox]

I am not a big fan of necrophilia myself but is that any more than personal ick factor?

[Shibboleth]

I am not a big fan of necrophilia myself but is that any more than personal ick factor?

No, for me it is a respect factor. Even though the person is dead and gone I do think that we should respect how they would have wanted their body treated... within reason. Even if their isn't a soul or essence or what-have-you I do think that there is something special and personal about the corpus that something inhabited. Even when I find a dead squirrel or something on my lawn I bury them instead of dumping them in the trash bin.

[Desert Fox]

I think your action might be more accurately considered for you than for the animal

How do you feel about murder victims being exhibited in museums around the world (Iceman and various Peat Bog mummies for example)   

[Shibboleth]

I do not have a huge issue with it as long as it is done with an appropriate level of respect.

I like that how they do it in Westminster Abby when they need to do research. They are respectful every step of the way in how they treat the bones and artifacts.

[Desert Fox]

How about, the boy in the above example? If he had been displayed instead of  buried, it would have been with respect

[hasculf]

I would love if my body was used as fertilizer or something useful, it doesn't matter to me too much though, as I won't exist at that point to care. Fertilizer, sex doll, whatever, its all the same.  Putting my carbon and nitrogen and stuff in the soil sounds best to me as a comfort while I am alive, but I won't care once it matters.