PROGRAM EVENT: Policy & Practice in the Treatment of Human Remains in German Museum & University Collections

In most European countries current legislation regulating the treatment of human remains held in collections, museums, and public places is still highly fragmentary and is insufficient for the resolution of the legal and ethical problems associated with them. Details regarding the display of human remains also varies between different collections and museums.

In 2000 a German group of experts set out to create guidelines regarding the housing of human remains in anatomical and pathological collections. In 2013 the German Association of Museums (Deutscher Museumsbund) published guidelines on how to deal in general with human remains in museums from a legal and ethical point of view. This includes the much debated issue of repatriation of human remains in anthropological and similar collections. The German case shows
that no government action is needed if experts produce a code of practice for maintaining human remains in public places which is in accordance with the existing national legislation and in line with modern ethical standards.

Wednesday October 2, 2013
6:30 p.m.
East Conference Room, 4th floor, Rackham Building

All events are free and open to the public.

For additional information call 734-936-6678 or visit the U-M Museum Studies Program web site at  http://ummsp.lsa.umich.edu/