JDR...don't want to be contentious, and pulling a thread that is subject to legal wrangling is understandable. However if this forum if is about life in Spain and related issues, then death should surely be discussed as well. Personally I couldn't care less what happened to my organs after I snuff it, and I don't want to look too good in my coffin in case there are any necrophiliacs about. I do feel that people should be made aware if different procedures are in place in Spain that may be contrary to accepted practice in Britain. I am all for being buried in the garden, as is permitted in Britain, but wonder how this will affect the pozo negro and the well water ??

WHAT A BLOODY WIERDO YOU ARE

I closed a thread recently mainly because of the context of the questions and thought it more personal between the OP and the coroners office than an open forum, although possibly what had happened was a good subject to discuss.
I have spoken with admin and they agree it is ok to start a new thread on the subject as it seems a lot of people would like to discuss the implecations of a death in Spain and the removal of organs.

Now bearing in mind that there is legislation in Spain that unless you opt out, organs will be removed.

I would also be interested in hearing more about this subject and was a little surprised at the closure of the other threads. Thanks for starting this thread Poollounger.

And how do you opt out?

Good question....I would also like to ask....what happens to the organs

LOL Mr Pipken....Just my sense of humour, frankly I couldn't care what happens to me after I am dead... we all enter the food chain one way or another. Any preference might be for an orchard or Bongo beach. I'm just amused by the notion of being buried in one's back garden. Apparently totally legal, but future owners have to allow access to relatives, so if Joe and Mary show up in twenty years to pay homage to Aunty Chloe who is under the patio whereon resides little Tommy's paddling pool, you have to allow them access..
Does anyone know if there are medical reasons, research or otherwise for the removal of organs in Spain, or is it an old custom, something akin to the ancient Egyptians ??

I don't like the idea of burials in a garden. I wouldn't like to buy a house with a grave in the garden.....and I do have a morbid sense of humour, I enjoy walking around graveyards but it's rather different to have someones relative buried in your garden

Apparently in the UK if you want to get buried in the garden or on your land, you have to get a waste disposal licence. My uncle enquired about it, and that what the council told him, so I don't think you can be buried in the garden like the old days. I personally wish they would go back to some of them, when your family dealt with you and buried you were you wanted. I think having strangers tend you isn't quite the same and impersonal.


I don't have a problem in them taking organs from me if it is going to save someone else's life, but if they are just taking organs for the sake of it to feed the stray cats or something similar, I think I would object to it as you then just become a piece of meat and not a body who used to be someone....... so I'm also interested in what they do for body parts as there used to be a thing in UK where they were sold to others without permission by hospitals.

In the Uk there has been a lobby to introduce this also. In effect, instead of carrying a donor card, everyone will agree to donate their organs UNLESS they opt out. Thus allieviating the currnt organ shortage in certain areas.

Personally, I would rather it remain as it is in the UK as I don't agree with organs being removed without specific consent, although I appreciate that a lot of people who would donate just can't be @rsed to register.

If the way in Spain is that you donate unless you opt out, then the way in which you can opt out needs to be investigated.

Good thread, and thanks to JDR & admin for allowing it

I presume the organs go to people who need then and not the local butchers!!!

I thought you had to be warm still? I wouldn't think everyone's organs would be useful, especially the elderly.

Spain introduced the organ procurement programme in response to the shortage of kidneys, hearts, eyes etc. for transplantation. They also wanted to avoid health professionals having to seek permission from relatives at a very difficult time, although I understand they do advise them of their intentions.

There's a lot of information by googling "organ procurement in Spain" with comparative figures of different country's transplant programmes.

I imagine you have to contact the Ministry of Health in your area and draw up a document to opt out if you have objections to this practice.

Being a bit of an 'ole coffin dodger' (as someone put it) myself, I've interested myself in this and other anomolies in the Spanish way of dying!

Well I want to be cremated and then my service, non religious, to be out at sea amongst the dolphin on jetskis. My ashes can be put in a few fireworks and scattered whilst the mourners watch the firework display....do you reckon they will let me do that.

If they don't, I shall have to reconsider where I will die in that case.