[Autopsy and religions]

Abstract

Concerns about autopsies may hardly leave behind religious belief. Traditional anthropology conditions the relationship to death. No main religion practiced in the regions where autopsies are performed forbids it definitely. Judaism and Islam accept it as far as its usefulness is demonstrated. Christianity encourages the generosity of donation. Buddhism, which developed a denial of appearances, is finding ways to dialogue with the need of medical practices in the western world. The repulsion induced by the exploration of a corpse takes origin far above dogma and belief, which formulate acceptable limits within a given culture. Because autopsy remains useful, laic society must take into account not only the beliefs of humans, but also their fundamental need of sublimation in front of death.