Alcor Life Extension Foundation v. Richardson

This dispute over a decedent’s remains raises significant issues under the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, the Final Disposition Act, and Iowa law pertaining to disinterments. See Iowa Code ch. 142C, ch. 144C, § 144.34 (2009). In 2004 Orville Richardson made arrangements with Alcor Life Extension Foundation to take possession of his remains and cryopreserve his head after he passed away. When Orville died in 2009, however, Orville’s relatives did not notify Alcor and instead had him buried. Alcor now appeals the district court’s denial of its request for an order compelling the relatives…