Postmortem Project
Postmortem: Redefining Respect, Reinterpreting Remains
Welcome to the Postmortem Project at the Mütter Museum! Please join us on a thought-provoking exploration that delves deep into the very heart of ethical questions surrounding future exhibition themes and consent regarding human remains. We are seeking community input as we continue to explore our 'Birthplace of American Medicine'. Part exhibition, part event, and all community-driven, this multifaceted project invites you to engage with complex themes of respect, consent, and ethics, challenging you to ponder the intricacies of collection, care, interpretation, and display.
Join us in an immersive experience where exhibitions prompt reflection and every discussion sparks further dialogue. Through exhibitions, surveys, and interactive discussions, we invite you to lend your voice to shaping the future of the Museum. Led by a diverse team of internal and external experts, this visionary two-year project seeks to pave the way for a more inclusive, respectful, and enlightening museum experience.
Be heard, be inspired, and be part of the Mütter Museum's legacy as we explore together the intersections of past, present, and future. Your voice matters as we navigate these vital topics, and together, we'll chart a course towards a brighter, more informed tomorrow.
I have a vision of a museum focused on a broader story of medical history than pathologies and oddities
– Postmortem Town Hall Participant
Upcoming Events & Programs
Stay tuned for upcoming events in Summer and Fall 2025.
Feedback From Our Audience
The images below were captured during the initial Postmortem Town Hall where the public was invited to share their input with the goal of informing a roadmap for the future of the Museum's design, interpretive approach, and displays.
Vision: Telling complete stories of the individuals in the collection while maintaining a historically referent exhibition space
– Postmortem Town Hall Participant
Exhibition
A dedicated Postmortem: Mütter Museum exhibition opened in May 2024, drawing on items from the Museum's collection that highlight the complexities surrounding human remains in museums. A diverse team of content experts researched the topics and objects, including provenance, social and cultural context, personal history and narratives, and other information to recontextualize items for public consideration. The exhibition also incorporates public reaction from the Postmortem events.
Recaps & Resources
Click the link below to learn about the various components of Postmortem Project: Mütter Museum as they take place. Recaps and results will be populated as various events occur.
Contact Us
For questions or concerns regarding Postmortem Project: Mütter Museum, please email us .
Acknowledgements
Support for Postmortem Project: Mütter Museum has been provided by .