Note 495 — LEGAL STATUS OF THE DEAD BODY.
Reading edition
In New York State, section 305 of the Penal Code provides: “A person has the right to direct the manner in which his body shall be disposed of after his death; and also to direct the manner in which any part of his body, which had become separated therefrom during his lifetime, shall be disposed of; and the provisions of this chapter do not apply to any case where a person has given directions for the disposal of his body or any part thereof inconsistent with those provisions.” See also Patterson v. Patterson, 59 N.Y., 583; Me. R. S., ch. 13, sec. 1; Minn. Gen. Stats., sec. 6,220; N. D. Comp. Laws. sec. 6,549; Oklahoma Stats., sec. 2,188. See also Williams v. Williams, Law Rpts., 20 Ch. D., 659; 2 Wms. on Exrs., p. 968; Secord v. Secord, supra.