Union Distributes No-Autopsy Cards

The Orthodox Union has printed and is distributing a wallet-sized card declaring that the carrier does not wish or authorize an autopsy to be performed on his or her body. The card is being distributed pursuant to a recently-passed New York State law proposed by Assemblyman Howard Lasher. The law provides that unless the autopsy is required by law, carrying of such a card will, prohibit a medical examiner from performing an autopsy on the body.

Julius Berman, president of the Orthodox Union explained that the card will be of greatest value in instances where the next of kin do not come forward and request that no autopsy be performed;

Since the law does not authorize funds to print or distribute the cards, Mr. Berman said, the Union has^ undertaken to do so as a public service to the Orthodox Jewish Community of New York State. The card is being distributed by the Orthodox Union to Orthodox synagogues, day schools andyesh/Vot throughout the State and will be available to an/individual sending a request with a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Mr. Berman cautioned that the law, while serving a positive function, “does not speak to the heart of our concern on autopsies, i.e., to clearly define circumstance such as religious objections where autopsies would be prohibited by law.” In this connection Mr. Berman said he “looks forward to early passage of such a bill sponsored by Assemblyman Sheldon Silver and drafted by attorneys from COLPA in consultation with the Orthodox Union and other Orthodox organizations.”