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Would you consent to an autopsy of your spouse, if his family did want one done due to religious beliefs?

If your spouse died due to questionable causes and an autopsy was recommended to find out precisely what killed your spouse, would you give your consent (if it was your call as the spouse) even if your spouse's family was against the autopsy and urged you to move on since even clarity in knowing what happened could not bring him back?
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Marked as Best! October 21, 2009 03:54 AM
Under such occurrence, it would seem to me that the decision would be mine, being his immediate next of kin. I would definitely take their wishes under advisement, but would base my decision on the circumstances surrounding my spouse's death. If there was any possibility of foul play, medical malpractice, or any other situation which an autopsy could help resolve, I would definitely authorize the procedure and explain it as such to my in-laws. If there were no pressing need for an autopsy, then I would not consent to it.
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October 20, 2009 08:33 PM
If it was a questionable circumstance you bet I would want to know what exactly happened. I feel that autopsies are a way of recieving some closure with the deceased. Especially with unexpected deaths. It allows the family and friends to know what happened so they aren't always wonderin' how so and so died.
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October 20, 2009 09:46 PM
My spouse and I became our own family when we married, meaning the wishes of his birth family are secondary to mine, and that the wishes of my birth family are secondary to his.

With this in mind, I would consent to the autopsy over the wishes of his birth family, regardless of their beliefs.
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October 20, 2009 10:13 PM
Sure would. I'd want to know.. besides my husband signed full rights to his body over to me in his will. He wants me to turn his skull into a jewel encrusted urn.. some sort of Sumerian ritual to turn him into Alister Crowley? I think I have that wrong.. but he wrote detailed instructions so meh.
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October 22, 2009 03:47 AM
I believe the spouse would have more authority over the deceased than the parents.
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