Does your religion prevent you from...?

Question

...being cremated or being an organ donor?

I'm a Wiccan and I don't think there's an official Wiccan stance, but I know that I feel like organ donation is VERY important social responsibility. I also intend for them to cremate what is left of me because I think that modern burial is bad for the earth (wastes space and the body's nutrients aren't allowed to absorb back into the ground).

Please state your religion and tell whether or not you're allowed to organ donate or cremate yourself - I'm curious.

Jojo: No offense, but I sort of wanted you to state your religion, which is why I asked "Please state your religion and whether or not...". Otherwise, what's the point?

Answer 1

I'm Wiccan as well, but since I'm on medication for a chronic illness organ donation isn't an option for me. I have a very close friend who is alive today because he received a liver transplant 8 years ago, so I certainly hope there aren't people out there who are prevented on religious grounds from giving someone the gift of life. It's so very important.

I intend to have a green burial myself - no embalming, either a pine box or just a shroud, and I'd like to have a tree planted instead of a headstone. There can be a grave marker, but I'd rather have something natural to indicate where I'm buried.

BB

Answer 2

See, this is a great question and one I have been thinking about for a while now because I want to be an organ donor but I don't think I am allowed. I am Pagan but I come from a Jewish family. In Judaism, organ donation is not allowed. Cremation is frowned upon. (Jews refused cremation as an option since the Holocaust, but is now very slowly becoming an accepted option again...but is still not commonly done.)

So, while I want to donate my organs and be buried. (Fortunately in jewish traditional burial, the body is not preserved and small holes are in the bottom of the casket to aid in the natural decaying process. Seems kinda Pagan to me. Heh.) I don't think I can donate. I don't know if there is anyway around it.

Answer 3

Judaism used to have a strong belief in bodily resurrection, so it was very important that the body be buried intact. Today that belief varies, but the tradition of intact burial remains.

Because organ donation saves lives, it's accepted by some. Rule of thumb for Jewish practice: if a life is to be saved, that supercedes all laws and regulations. But how often that's used in such a way varies.

Cremation isn't exactly eco-friendly. It releases lots of toxins into the air, including mercury from teeth -- air quality is measureably worse near crematoriums.

Jewish tradition forbids the use of formeldahyde or other chemicals on a body. Instead the body is ritually washed in pure water and wrapped in a simple cloth shroud. Caskets used to be pine -- I'm not actually sure what the current practices are. The practices are based in purity and not interfering with the natural processes. The end result is a high degree of biodegradability.

Answer 4

When the body is cremated the soul understands that he is already dead so he has to go on. When the body is buried the soul hoovers around the body for long time in a ghostly form. So it is best to cremate the body. A dead body is useless, so before cremating it we should help someone by donating organs that may be needed for his survival.

Answer 5

I am a Christian and an Organ Donor. Cremation is fine but I personally would prefer a traditional burial in the family plot and buried in a cardboard coffin rather then wood. Eco-friendly!

Answer 6

I agree with you fairly completely. I was reaised as a mormon, and now i believe somewhat of my own beliefs which align fairly closely with wicca, but not completely so i dont actually call myself wiccan. I do think that burial of our deceased is a waste of time and space. It seems that it is people who cant seem to let go of the people who have died. and putting up a stone is the only way to remember them. From what i remmeber from my up bringing is that the mormons frown on cremation, but it is allowed. I dont know there stance on organ donation. but i think most religions that believe in heaven usually lean twards the idea of keeping the body intact.

Answer 7

I am a baptist and a organ donor as well. As far as cremation goes the only thing I have ever heard on that is the heathens would be cremated and others was buried. My religion has never said anything aganist someones wishes on that.

Answer 8

i dont believe my religion exludes me from being cremated, or an organ donor,
but It is my own personal belief that NONE of my organs are donated to anyone because they May be full of disease. Cremation is another matter. I know it says that some of the patriarchs were burned and their bones were buried.

I also know that people who die with major infectious diseases Must be burned by order of governments and Medical profession, so that infection is not spread. Irregardless of family religious beliefs.

Answer 9

I'm an atheist, so I don't have a religion to stop me from those things. If somebody can use any of my organs after I die they are more than welcome to have them. As for cremation vs. burial, I haven't made up my mind yet. It doesn't make much of a difference to me since I'll be dead anyway. Both options have some pros and cons, so I need to give it more thought before I decide.

Answer 10

Donating is Fine But cremation NO
I am a Bahai

Meg
http://www.bahai-faith.org/