Dignity of the deceased: a fundamental right for all
Our society is becoming increasingly aware of the challenges faced by those at the end of their lives. This awareness has led to a shared realization: everyone has the right to die in dignity. But what about dignity after death?
Interview with Patrice Chavegros, Vice-President of Athos Services Commémoratifs, former Executive Director of Urgel Bourgie / Athos and thanatologist with over 40 years’ experience.
Passing with dignity… and then what?
Our current health system supports and cares for patients quickly and efficiently. Yet after death, the sense of urgency all but vanishes. In other words, once a person’s status changes from patient to deceased, they seem to lose their value as a human being.
A person doesn’t cease to exist once they pass away. They may no longer live inside their body, but they certainly live on in the memories of the people who cared for them. An individual’s contribution on earth continues after their passing, through the actions and memories they leave behind.
Does the fact that you can interact with a person who is dying hold more value than the impact their life will leave behind once they have passed away? Patrice Chavegros answers this question categorically: no, a human being is no less a person after death. A deceased human holds the same value as a living one. And we have a duty to treat them with the same level of humanity we reserve for the living.
Recognizing the status of the deceased: an important issue
Our society does not currently recognize the status of the deceased. A citizen who is living one day and deceased the next is—for want of a better word—abandoned. To ensure dignity after death, we must recognize the utility and merits of burials. “A human being comes into the world with dignity and must remain dignified after their death, it’s a fundamental right,” asserts Mr. Chavegros.
A final tribute and a time of rest, followed by an escort to a decent resting place: these are the marks of respect that should be accorded to all those who pass away, regardless of the disposal method they choose, be it burial, cremation or any other option.
This is especially true in the industry in which Urgel Bourgie / Athos operates. “A deceased person is someone who has a history, who has lived and been loved by their loved ones, who entrust their disposal to us,” explains Mr. Chavegros. For this reason, it is essential to care for this deceased person with gentleness and attention.
For us, the deceased is not dehumanized,” he adds. It’s a person who existed and whose impact on society remains. It’s much more than a body. It’s a person with a name, a life, and that life must be summed up to create a tribute, a mark of respect in its honor.”
Dignity according to Urgel Bourgie/Athos
It is the duty of every funeral professional to ensure the dignity of the deceased at every stage of the funeral process. For the Urgel Bourgie / Athos team, the notions of compassion and respect are essential:
“We are committed to serving each and every person we meet with integrity and humanity, because for us, dignity after death is not an option: it’s a right.”
According to Patrice Chavegros, it’s not a matter of price: it’s first and foremost a matter of conscience. This commitment to the dignity of the deceased is reflected in a number of ways at the heart of Urgel Bourgie / Athos practices:
“Firstly, we offer the same care and attention to all the deceased, whatever their situation. We follow the same ethics and adopt the same practices, with great respect and humanity. In the day-to-day actions of our team, we attach the same value to each of the deceased entrusted to our care.”
“Secondly, we offer funeral services to families from all horizons so that they can dispose of their deceased, whatever their origins, customs and beliefs, but also, whatever their budget.”
Urgel Bourgie / Athos is committed to giving everyone access to dignity after death. To do so, the company supports the Dr Marsolais’ Mission, offering cremation free of charge to many people in need.
Dignity of the deceased: a social issue
The value of a society is judged, among other things, by the way it disposes of its deceased. How then can we change the way people think?
The question we need to ask ourselves,” says Mr. Chavegros,” is where human dignity begins and ends. In my opinion, it doesn’t end at the moment of death; it must last beyond.”
Dignity is part of being human. We all have our own value as people and have the right to remain dignified within the society to which we have contributed, even after our death.
This is why we have a duty, as a community, to question the recognition of the status of the deceased within our system, and above all, the duty to remember.