Woman asks to bury recently removed breast

The woman approached a biological waste bank in Jönköping asking for her shorn breast and said she would like to be the one to decide its final resting place.

Uncertain as to the legalities of returning removed body parts for burial, a coordinator at the centre sought the guidance of the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen).

“We have received an unusual request and I would like advice on the legal aspects of the issue. A patient has had her breast removed and wants it ‘back’ to bury it,” the coordinator wrote.

In an email dated January 16th, a lawyer representing the board ruled that there was no legal obstacle to granting the woman’s request.

“There is in principle no rule that prevents the release of a patient’s tissue or body part to the patient following an operation/amputations long as it doesn’t pose a public health risk.”