[WSBARP] Unusual disposition of human remains (!)

[Kary Krismer]

I've only read news articles on this, but apparently Washington now 
recognizes something call human composting.  I don't think that process 
contemplates what your client wants, but perhaps at the end of the 
process what they want would be somehow easier?????

Here's one such article. 
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/washington-could-become-first-state-legalize-human-composting-n952421

Kary L. Krismer
206 723-2148

On 2/18/2019 5:37 PM, Sarah Jael Dion wrote:
> Hi all-
>
> I am looking for thoughts— I am trying to advise an estate planning 
> client about the feasibility of carrying out a rather unusual plan for 
> disposition of his remains. He would like his skull to be preserved 
> for his children, as kind of a last vestige of his corporeal 
> existence. His urge to do this sounds strange, but he is a very 
> interesting, kind and smart guy. He does not want to create criminal 
> or other legal problems for anyone who agrees to assist with this 
> plan. I am trying to identify for him the potential legal obstacles to 
> having his skull separated from his body and given to someone to clean 
> and preserve it. (Luckily, he has NOT asked me to help with figuring 
> out who would be willing to carry this plan out for him.)
>
> I’ve been looking through the RCWs and while it seems clear that a 
> person has a right to control disposition of their remains (RCW 
> 68.50.160), it remains vague to me the process by which a person could 
> have anything other than autopsy, burial or cremation take place. His 
> skull would not qualify as an anatomical gift, unless it was given for 
> "transplantation, therapy, research, or education.” RCW 68.04.010(3). 
> So it must be human remains. There are all kinds of penalties 
> scattered throughout the section on human remains, for stealing them, 
> for digging them up once buried, etc.
>
> There is one sentence in the RCWs that seems promising— RCW 
>  68.50.100(1) states that “[t]he right to dissect a dead body shall be 
> limited to cases specially provided by statute or by the direction _or 
> will of the deceased_.” (Emphasis added.)
>
> Does anyone have insight into this situation? Many thanks in advance 
> if you have made it this far! Also, yes, I now know all about Ted 
> Williams. :)
>
> Sarah Jael Dion
>
> Dion Law PLLC
> 206-550-4005
> sarah at dionlaw.com <mailto:sarah at dionlaw.com>
> www.dionlaw.com
>
> This message is private or privileged. If you are not the person for 
> whom this message is intended, please notify me immediately and delete 
> the message. Please do not copy or send this message to anyone else.
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ***Disclaimer: Please note that RPPT listserv participation is not restricted to practicing attorneys and may include non-practicing attorneys, law students, professionals working in related fields, and others.***
>
> _______________________________________________
> WSBARP mailing list
> WSBARP at lists.wsbarppt.com
> http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/wsbarp
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.fsr.com/pipermail/wsbarp/attachments/20190218/448cd5da/attachment.html>