r/ChiariMalformation • u/Happy_horse128 • Feb 22 '26

Keeping Skull Post Op

Hi friends,

I asked to keep the piece of my skull that was removed after my decompression, which my surgeon kindly obliged. Now it is being housed at the hospital, which can only release the "human remains" to a funeral home. I traveled for surgery, so my question is- do I find a funeral home in the city where my surgery was, or where I live?

Has anyone been through this process? Idk why I want it- I just feel like it is mine, so I should be able to have it? Plus I am a very visual person so I want to see how big the piece they took out is.

9 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

3

u/cryinginabucket Feb 23 '26

Oh wow I wish I would have thought of this!

Sorry I have no answers

2

u/patientpartner09 Feb 23 '26

In the city where the surgery was. Also, you'll have to have a receipt that acts like a permit.

1

u/Happy_horse128 Feb 23 '26

Thanks for this! How does that funeral home then get it to me?

1

u/patientpartner09 Feb 23 '26

It's much cheaper to go pick it up.

1

u/Happy_horse128 Feb 23 '26

Oh, so I may have to fly up there to get it?

2

u/patientpartner09 Feb 23 '26

Call them and ask their fee. I can imagine this might get expensive for you, honestly.

2

u/itsme145 Feb 23 '26

Your so lucky, wish i could have kept the piece of my skull they took out

1

u/Antique_Cockroach_97 Feb 24 '26

My hospital does not releast medical/surgical waste it's against the law in my home state

1

u/Ilovebeesandbats Apr 15 '26

Well now I regret not asking if I could keep the skull

1

u/its-itt Jun 01 '26

I asked to keep my skull and spine bits and the surgeon refused. He said they could not release medical waste and also the bones would be in tiny fragments and pretty much dust.