Mortuary Law
Charles, A. Corr, Donna M. Corr. (2012). Death and Dying, Life and Living: Amazon.com
This book focuses on the disposition of human bodies, and who has the authority of disposition. According to the author, different states have different laws regarding the disposition of dead human bodies. However, as stated in the law, a dead human body should be disposed by the relatives of the deceased. In addition, the law protects the deceased against any harm from the mortuary attendants. A corpse should consequently be disposed in the right way, as stipulated by the law. The law also prevents institutions which take care of human bodies from contamination, a move which aims at protecting the lives of other people.
In Brennan, M. (2014). The A-Z of Death and Dying.
This book focuses on the laws of disposition of dead bodies, and who has the authority to direct how dead bodies should be disposed off. In addition, the book also provides information regarding mortuary science studies. According to the author, states are the common regulators of the disposition of departed human bodies according to the law. Morticians are tasked with the mandate of taking care of dead bodies, according to the wishes of the deceased. Moreover, they also have the authority to dispose the body, either through earth burial, or through cremation. However, different states have different laws regarding the mode of disposition of dead bodies, which morticians are supposed to work under.
COPELAND, L. (2015). Who Owns the Dead?. New Republic, 246(7/8), 14-22.
This article focuses on the tumour of funeral homes in the US, and the people who are employed to facilitate them. The article also outlines the historical undertakings which are linked to the care of dead bodies. In addition, it also looks at the growth and development of funeral homes in the 20th century. The topics discussed in the article consequently include the following: transport and supervisory issues which affect those who prepare a dead body of a family member at home, female mortuary workers, and the costs of cremation as compared to that of traditional burial.
Searcy, E. (2014). The Dead Belong to the Living: Disinterment and Custody of Dead Bodies in Nineteenth-Century America. Journal Of Social History, 48(1), 112-134.
This article basically looks at the relationship between family members and the control they have over their dead relatives in the 19th century. The author consequently argues that families during this period did not have total control over their dead relatives, since mortuary attendants had total control over dead bodies. Even as courts came up with laws regarding the disposition of dead bodies, families maintained a close relationship with their dead family members. Family members of the dead bodies wanted to be granted the right to dispose their family members’ bodies, but the law could not allow, hence making them to maintain a close relationship with their dead family members even after the disposition of their bodies by the mortuary departments.
Aurora P. (2013). The Law and Ethics of Medical Research: International Bioethics and Human Rights: Amazon.com
This book focuses on the ownership of property and dead bodies. According to the book, people can own anything in this world, and they have the right to do whatever they want with them, without being question by anyone. However, the author argues that, when it comes to the human body, no one has the authority to own a dead human body. As it is stated in the law, when a person dies, the body should be disposed according to the dictates of the law. A human body cannot consequently be owned, thus a dead body should be disposed according to the law, failure to which it will be a crime. A corpse should be buried, or cremated, according to the wishes of the deceased. Whoever is given the task of disposing a dead body should consequently do so according to the rule of law.
Reference
COPELAND, L. (2015). Who Owns the Dead?. New Republic, 246(7/8), 14-22.
Searcy, E. (2014). The Dead Belong to the Living: Disinterment and Custody of Dead Bodies in Nineteenth-Century America. Journal Of Social History, 48(1), 112-134.
Charles, A. Corr, Donna M. Corr. (2012). Death and Dying, Life and Living: Amazon.com
In Brennan, M. (2014). The A-Z of Death and Dying.
Aurora P. (2013). The Law and Ethics of Medical Research: International Bioethics and Human Rights: Amazon.com
