[Mrs. Don-o]

It is not murder in any sense of the word --- religious, legal, or ethical --- to remove a body from such life support as a ventilator, when that body is brain dead. You do not have to ventilate a corpse until it rots off the table.

This is quite different from the situation of a person like Terri Schiavo, who was not brain dead, and not even dying --- no, not even "terminal" --- when they removed her nutrition and hydration. In her case, even though she was breathing on her own and responsive, her husband Michael wanted her gone, for whatever reason of weariness, confused compassion or personal interest (she did have assets he would inherit) --- and when at last she died, she did not die of her "underlying condition," she died of hunger and thirst: starvation and dehydration. That, my friends, was murder.

In the pathetic situation reported on this thread, death has occurred without any hurry-up from powerful others. Burying the dead is also a Work of Mercy.

That is.... if what was reported is true.

[caver]

Thank you for reminding me of the Terri Schiavo tragedy. I had not forgotten her but I did need a reminder. That was murder.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

If as reported she is brain dead I agree with you. She is dead.

My heart breaks for her mother. I hope the hospital offered he more than “she’s brain dead and we are taking her off life support.”