We respond to every follow-up question submitted, but only publish selected ones.
In order to be considered for publication, questions must be on-topic, polite, and address ideas rather than
personalities.
I would like to donate my body to science. In order to do this, the scientific organization sends consent forms for me to sign. At the time of my death, they take whatever they need, cremate the remains, and send them wherever indicated. Am I allowed to do this?
Although it is truly commendable that you want to further science by donating your body, Jewish law does not permit it. The reason for this is because our bodies do not really belong to us—they are given to us on loan for as long as we live. Upon death, we must “return” the body to G-d. That is the source for burial; as Scripture says, “From dust you have come, and to dust you shall return.” Desecrating a body for the purpose of research is not acceptable according to the Jewish tradition.
Parenthetically, cremation is also considered a desecration of the body. It implies the finality of life, when Judaism believes in an Afterlife and in a future resurrection of the dead.
(Please note that this question and answer refers to donating one’s body for scientific research. Please see here for a discussion of organ transplantation.—Editor)
What about all of those who have perished in the holocaust, or unforeseen accidents? What about surgery and removal of the appendix or spleen? How are these issues reconciled with these laws?
I’m sorry if I wasn’t clear. Burial is only required if the body is available. Someone who died in a way where the body is no longer available cannot be buried, and that is obviously G-d’s will. If an entire organ, such as a leg, was amputated, it must also be buried. Internal organs, such as appendix, do not require burial, unless they are still part of the body.
Comment by ATR — December 31, 2007 @ 1:13 pm