Moment of death?

[didymus]

On another thread the issue is whether physicians should consider a patient dead when the heart stops or wait until he is declared “brain dead.”

When does the Church teach death actually takes place? Obviously things were simpler in past ages; he isn’t breathing, his heart isn’t beating, he’s dead. Now we have CPR, defibrillators, life support, &c.

Could I, for instance, instruct my doctor, “If my heart stops declare me dead and take no action.”?

 

[vern_humphrey]

Yes – you can licitly leave instructions that you not be rescucitated. The Church does not require “heroic” measures to keep your body alive. On the other hand, you cannot be starved or deprived of water – as long as you can metabolize them, food and water must be provided.

 

[jack_hawkins]

CPR isn’t anywhere near as effective as most people think
another point I should make, the concept is brain stem death not brain death