Donating One's Body After Death?

[mullenpm]

I was acquainted with an elderly gentleman who I would see at Mass every Sunday. He recently died and I searched the newspaper for an obituary so I could attend his funeral Mass. There was none.

I learned later that he had donated his body to science but there would be a memorial Mass at our parish church.

My question. Is it permissible for a Catholic to donate one’s body (not just organ donations) to science? I always thought that a Catholic must be buried.

 

[puzzleannie]

yes it is permissible either to donate organs or one’s body for legitimate medical or scientific purposes, as long as the dignity of the body is respected. Usually after the medical or scientific use is over, the body is cremated and the remains buried or interred as they would be in any case of cremation. The funeral Mass can be celebrated anytime, and rite of commmital deferred until that interment takes place. It may be he has relatives elsewhere and they elected to have a memorial Mass at their parish. No reason you could not ask your priest to also say a Mass for the repose of his soul.

 

[mullenpm]

The Memorial Mass is being said at our Parish - his Parish. His remaining relation is not from this area and I doubt if there will be any funeral Mass anywhere other than the Memorial Mass at our Parish.

I still am uncertain about this idea. How would anyone know if the body of the deceased was being treated with respect and what eventually happens to the remains.

In a case such as this with no relations to know or care I don’t like the idea at all.