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Limb amputation We were taught in class that Orthodox Jews retain the severed limb of an amputation to be burried eventually with the rest of the body. Is this correct? What happens to the body part after amputation and before death? Reply
Re: amputation without consent As far as Jewish law is concerned, a person has ownership over acquired possessions, but not over his own life. So, even if the patient were conscious, personal opinion is irrelevant. Anybody who can save a life is obligated to do whatever is necessary to do so. Reply
amputation without consent If a patient presents to the ER in a state in which limb amputation is the only option to avoid sepsis and death, and if consent cannot be obtained due to the fact that the patient is unconscious and cannot speak for her/himself, what is the appropriate action that should be taken? What is legally sound? Reply
RE: Limb amputation The most common practice is to bury the severed limb immediately. If the amputee already purchased and selected a burial plot, it is customary for the limb to be buried there. If not, it is buried elsewhere in the cemetery. There are those who prefer to preserve the limb until the person dies so that they can be buried at the same time, but that does not seem to be the common practice.
(See Gesher Hachayim vol. 1, 16:2)