Dear Sisters and Brothers,

 

In the time since I wrote the bulletin articles a few weeks back about cremation and burial, I have had a few questions about other aspects relating to end of life and disposition of the body that I think would be helpful to address. Notably, I have had several people ask about donating the body to science after death, or about organ donation, and the answer is important.

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First, donating the body to science would generally be okay, but there are caveats. The respect for the body must be maintained. It is still a human body after death and should not be treated casually or with disregard. Most reputable places that receive bodies (or the organs of a body) donated after death have clear and strict policies in place to make sure they are treated properly. If you are thinking about donating your body or helping someone else do so, make sure you do your due diligence and check into the organization. Ask about their policies. Check to make sure they have something clearly written that provides for just treatment of the human body. If those policies are not present, or do not cover enough detail, you might want to reconsider your options. It should be clear that donating your body to someone who will not respect it could potentially be a major issue. Imagine if some stranger asked if you would donate your body for science to him after you die so that he can finally cut up a human body and see what it is like inside. Or if some organization wanted bodies donated to science so they pave their driveway with the bones of the dead. The one to whom the body is donated and the purpose of their ‘science’ matter when making these decisions. Again, most research organizations have safeguards in place to ensure the bodies they receive are not mistreated, and most have specific tests they perform to help advance specific concerns when dealing with various illness or pharmaceuticals which can improve acute and palliative care and save lives. Generally, they will also have something in place to return the body after their tests are completed, or make other arrangements for the final disposition of the body in their contract. Donating your body for science is permissible, but the respect of the body is still necessary.

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Second, there are similar principles for organ donation. It is fine to donate your organs after death to go to others in need of organ transplant and save lives. Where it is very important to find out if scientific organizations will maintain respect for the body, that concern is much less a factor for organ transplants because the one receiving the organ is almost guaranteed to treat that organ with the same respect as any other part of his body. No one disrespects their new heart or treats it poorly because it came from somebody else who has died. Most times they treat it with even more respect, knowing it is a gift they have received. The biggest concern of which we must be aware when donating organs after death is that it must be after death has occurred. If the taking of the organs for transplant is what kills the individual, then that is morally evil. It would be a breaking of the covenant with God to protect life until natural death, and a violation of the person’s understanding when agreeing to be a donor. Unfortunately, because the harvesting of organs and their transplant into a new host is so time sensitive, I have heard of a number of cases where those involved pushed doctors and the family to declare the person ‘legally dead’ so they can begin preparing for organ removal, only to have family members become uncomfortable and ask to wait and eventually even see their loved one recover. Organ donation can be a wonderful thing and a gift of life, but if you are considering it, it is good to have family or friends with you that understand Catholic moral principles and can be sure to accurately apply them at the hour of need.

 

Peace in Christ,

Father Timothy