I’ve been a card carrying organ donor member all my adult life, and opted for the cremation bit thereafter, I however, have recently decided that this whole funeral business is a load of crock and an utter waste of money. I certainly cringe at the thought of my very secular/atheist loved ones sobbing around an open hole in the ground or sitting prettily on white clothed chairs whilst some stranger conveys to them what a nice person I was. Its macabre.
How does one go about having one’s body donated for science/educational purposes/whatever floats who-ever’s boat? I’ve googled a bit, but there’s not much here in SA I could find, aside from the Uni of Stellenbosch, but you need to die within a 50km radius of them to qualify, I somehow doubt I’d be in that region when I finaly kick the bucket.
medical stuff creeps me out, so the thought of being dissected, even when im toast, is weird.
then again, im claustrophic, so being in a box in the ground, or in a box heading for the roasting rack, doesnt do it for me either.
if there was a loophole in the law, i would have my body given to vultures, like in tibet, or lions, at least they get a hearty meal, some interresting chemicals, …
I registered for the NTB. I also instructed my S/O that if the NTB rejects my body at time of death, then she must have me buried. That way I can eaten to pay back for all the creatures I have eaten (although now I’m a vegetarian). I like the dumped at sea option, also used to be a big seafood eater. Not practical at Jozie though. Perhaps boksburg lake
i just read the law around disposing of corpses. it doesnt mention anything about science, but basically says, that your ass will go in a coffin, and be either in the ground, in a memorial type above-ground thing, or cremated.
unless your religion or custom says otherwise.
it seems, though, that each city has their own by-laws, and you may apply for different kind of corpse disposal, but its propably a helluva problem, since there is a three day limit for putting the body to ground, as it were, and unless you have made arrangements well in advance, there will be no joy.
Are you married? If not, your parents or closest kin (brothers/sisters) will have to make the call, also keep in mind, regardless of your registration, the next of kin still need to give their permission, I threatened my Mother with haunting her if she doesnt heed my wishes. In my S/O’s case, I’d have a helluva battle on hands with his mother being such a fundamentalist…
people of the woo seem to think (some anyway) that they know best what to do when a loved one dies: My brother-in-law killed in a car crash with a kudu, wanted to be cremated: his sister (my wife) agreed but then his totally woobesotted wife decided no he WILL be buried and nogal without any clothes on! The latter weird bit we only found out later! So he was buried on his farm and wifey dear hasn’t bothered to visit his grave in over 5 years about 100 meters from the Farmhouse! (wtf!!)
Nope, my S/O is listed as sole beneficiary in last will and testament, probably has no bearing.
We have investigated the options: an attorney must draw up a co-habitation contract. Make sure that the S/O has power of attorney of the entire estate should the one be incapacitated e.g. in a coma. I’m suspecting it would be cheaper and less hassle to book an afternoon with the courts. If you find out otherwise let me know.
Re the donation of one’s remains: I’m far too self-conscious to enjoy a posthumous probing, doesn’t matter how prestigious the institute. Besides, the only scientists likely to find my body interesting work at NASA.
I’ve donated mine to Tuks. They’ve got a 120km radius around Pretoria and some conditions, no suicide’s and so on. They can even get my medical file for all I care. I am not going to be there so they can do with it what they like.
On the subject of death - I don’t fear it but like Asimov said " Life is OK, death is peaceful, it is the transition that is worrying". (I don’t have the exact quote, this is probably wrong).
I wouldn’t do the “put me on a table naked in a class full of 18-23 year old’s” thang. I dunno, THAT creeps me out, and the value I’d be adding, for me, would be more in the organs I could donate for transplantation. After that I’m also cool with the remains going in the ground where they belong. Circle of life and all that… Burning creates emissions. Growing plants and animals from my carcass = Carbon recycling.