THE ETHICS OF SELLING BODY PARTS IN MORTUARIES

 

My grandfather was a very wealthy man who used to own a mortuary. The mortuary made him a very wealthy man. But as I grew older I realised that he never had any funerals to service most weekends so it kind of didn't make sense where the money was coming from.

Until one day I went to his mortuary unannounced and there was no one in the reception so I let myself in the building. I got the shock of my life when I walked into my grandfather and very weird looking short people who to this day I'd like to believe are tokoloshis.

I walked into them cutting off human body parts in pieces. Believe me when I say the second I entered that room those short people disappeared into thin air. Only my grandfather was left. He was very angry at me and said I was trespassing. It was as if he didn't know me,I was a total stranger to him.

I ran out scared, shaking and crying. When I got home I locked myself in the room. But since that day I always feel like I'm being watched or followed. My grandfather approached me and confessed everything about the nature of his business. My grandfather's mortuary was just a phase for his evil doing. He sold body parts for a living.

A couple of days of later my grandfather passed away and I was relieved. But since his passing his tokoloshis are following me and I keep dreaming of him telling me to continue his legacy. It is always wise to make sure you know how a mortuary receives the deceased and how it delivers the deceased. If you are not careful you'll bury your loved ones with missing body parts.

In a world grappling with ethical dilemmas, the notion of mortuaries selling body parts of their clients raises profound questions. This controversial practice, often shrouded in secrecy, challenges our understanding of respect and dignity in death. As individuals navigate their grief, the thought that their loved ones could be commodified can lead to a sense of betrayal and distress. Such actions evoke a visceral reaction, forcing us to reconsider the boundaries of ethical conduct in death care services.

The motivations behind mortuaries engaging in the sale of body parts can be complex. Economic pressures in the healthcare system and the growing need for anatomical specimens in medical education and research often collide. While certain body parts may be legally harvested for transplant or scientific purposes, the transparency of the transaction becomes crucial. Families may feel justified in their grief, believing that they entrusted the mortuary with their loved one’s remains, only to find that those remains have been reduced to mere financial transactions. This undermines the sanctity of the human body and challenges societal norms surrounding death and burial rites.

Legal frameworks surrounding the sale of human remains can be murky. Variability exists across jurisdictions, often resulting in a patchwork of regulations that leaves families vulnerable. In some areas, the sale of body parts might not even require consent from the deceased's family, further complicating the emotional fallout when the practice comes to light. A case study highlights how families, once proud of contributing to medical science through donation, later discovered their loved ones' parts were sold on the black market. Such revelations can ignite outrage, demanding a reevaluation of policies and practices in mortality care.

For society, this issue raises essential discussions about human dignity and ethical boundaries. Are human bodies merely vessels, or do they represent something sacred? The responsibilities of mortuary services extend beyond the logistics of handling remains; they encompass the ethical treatment of those who have passed and the families left behind. The conversation must shift toward advocating for stronger regulations and transparent practices, ensuring that the sanctity of life—and death—is honored. This responsibility rests not only with mortuary services but also with society as a whole, demanding respect for individual choices and humane treatment across all stages of life.

As we reflect on this topic, we must strive to create a culture where human dignity is held paramount, even after death. Conversations must be encouraged regarding organ donation and body part sales, emphasizing informed consent and ethical practices. Ultimately, ensuring that families feel supported and respected throughout the grieving process is essential to restoring trust and integrity within the mortuary industry.