Stepdad wants to donate body to science

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My Catholic stepdad has recently decided that he wants to donate his body to science. In doing some preliminary research, it appears some whole-body donor organizations return the ashes to the family to be buried, but some universities (i.e. U.C. Davis) do not return ashes to the family. Is my stepdad prohibited donating his body to science to organizations that will not his remains to his family members? In the case of universities like U.C. Davis that do not return ashes back to the family, are ashes buried in a group cemetery?
 
Perhaps he can just specify where he wants then donated, and choose someplace that returns the ashes.
 
Also, he should get an idea of which schools do what with bodies and if he is ok with that. For example some bodies go into a special forest for years to give criminal investigators training on what various stages of abandoned bodies exhibit.
 
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Ohh, that’s interesting. I saw a show about that once, now that you mention it.
 
Is it church requirement that a Catholic chooses an organization that returns the ashes to the family to be buried?
 
The donation would be in lieu of burial. The donation would occur after the funeral (although an abbreviated/expedited funeral may be necessary, depending on the requirements of donation).

A memorial mass could be held later, for the benefit of family unable to attend the first funeral on short notice.
 
I do not know the answer to that. But I would assume you would want to bury someone that is Catholic because that is what we do.
 
I have heard that in some cases, there is not much left to cremate. In the process of research or whatever else is done with the cadaver (such as the “body farm” example above), the greater part of the cadaver is, for lack of a more delicate way to put it, destroyed. That may be why they don’t return ashes of individual donors.

It all ultimately returns to the elements, so there should be no worries.
 
My dad was Lutheran, and had ALS, he was cremated and his ashes were buried, but I believe, if I recall correctly,he voluntarily had his brain donated to science, to further ALS research
 
In the end it’s his choice and not really your business unless he asks for advice and I doubt there is anything wrong with it. It’s a good cause and focusing on all the externals just sounds superficial. I doubt God cares so much
 
I used to do cadaver dissection in college. The remains of any particular person were very carefully kept together and separate from others. The medical school to which the remains were originally donated had them cremated and returned to the families of the deceased.

My only caution would be to avoid donating to an institution that does not dispose of remains properly. UC San Francisco, for instance, says: After studies are completed the remains are cremated and scattered at sea. Frequently Asked Questions | UCSF Medical Education

The Catholic Church allows burial of cremated remains at sea, but only if the ashes are buried together. Ashes may not be scattered, no matter where this is done.

In contrast, Oregon Health and Science University says: Studies are usually completed within two years. After that time, the process of cremation and return of the cremains (cremated remains) to the donor family is undertaken. Body Donation | OHSU
 
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It is my business in the sense that I will be a designated agent for his advance health directive and I am trying to do some research for him to ensure that his Catholic faith is not violated by choosing an organization that explicitly states that his remains will NOT be returned to the family. If his advance health directive is not completed in time, can his next of kin (me) choose an organization that explicitly states that his remains will NOT be returned to the family without being in sin?
 
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I believe you can designate this…I’m not certain, however. It used to be that the body was returned to the family after a designated period of time and wasn’t cremated unless the family wished to. Now, most seem to cremate. You’ll probably have to do some research to assure the cremation remains aren’t scattered and it looks like most centers state what they do with the remains.

Does your stepfather wish his body to go to any particular university or medical center? If not, find one or several that follow Catholic practices and designate those places specifically. By the way, not every body offered to science is accepted. It depends on their needs at the time and some other requirements. So, look into it!
 
Pattylt said:
Does your stepfather wish his body to go to any particular university or medical center? If not, find one or several that follow Catholic practices and designate those places specifically. By the way, not every body offered to science is accepted. It depends on their needs at the time and some other requirements. So, look into it!
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No. My stepfather does not hav any particular university or medical center that he wants to donate to.
 
So you don’t think that the poster should have a say in something that isn’t her “business”, or speak for him, but you have no problem speculating God’s position?
 
Perhaps a discussion with him is in order. It would be wonderful if you have the time to do a bit of research so you could recommend some?
 
Pattylt said:
Perhaps a discussion with him is in order. It would be wonderful if you have the time to do a bit of research so you could recommend some?
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Thanks Patty. Do you know if it is a sin for him or family members on his behalf to choose a institution that does NOT return the ashes to the family members?
 
Thank you ValleyCatholic. Do you know if it is a sin for him or family members on his behalf to choose a institution that does NOT return the ashes to the family members?
 
I’m not catholic but I bet this question can be easily answered by a Priest…even a quick phone call should be able to clear it up.

Can anyone else answer this?
 
adamhovey1988 said:
My dad was Lutheran, and had ALS, he was cremated and his ashes were buried, but I believe, if I recall correctly,he voluntarily had his brain donated to science, to further ALS research
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My grandfather was apparently the first to neither die nor recover from Guillain-Barre syndrome. They never quite knew what to do with him . . .

Hopefully, others benefitted from his donating his body . . .
 
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