Religious attitudes and the autopsy

Abstract

Religious dictates are generally not valid reasons for refusal of permission for autopsy, since most religions do not prohibit autopsy per se. Permission can be obtained from most members of religious groups, even from Orthodox Jews and Muslims , although it is sometimes not possible to perform an autopsy except where civil law prevails. Resistance on the part of the bereaved may be based on a lack of knowledge or on misinformation. The public needs to be better educated about the many advantages of autopsy, for both society and for family members.