Welcome to the Postmortem Project at the Mütter Museum. Following a two-year comprehensive review and community engagement process, we have announced changes that stress clear guidelines for the use, acceptance, and exhibition of human remains that will guide future donations and photography of the 6,500 remains in our collection.
We will continue to exhibit human remains with a commitment to contextualizing their history and provenance, thanks in part to the findings of the Postmortem Project. Key provisions in the College’s updated Human Remains Policy will guide future acquisitions of human remains. The Museum may consider an acquisition if offered by a living donor or by a decedent via bequest, though in all cases the College will not be bound to accept such offers.
Similarly, the new policies guide the use of photography or videography of the human remains collection and provide clarity about how images may be used in research, educational, or exhibition settings. In conjunction with the completion of the Postmortem Project, the College also announced that it will return nearly 400 videos to its YouTube channel, which were removed in January 2023.
“At a time when professional standards on the ethical display of human remains have evolved rapidly, our choice has been to audit our collection to better understand its potential, and to consider input on how to move forward from every segment of our community,” said Larry R. Kaiser, MD, President and CEO of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. “Through the review process, we have heard from our colleagues in science and medicine as well as from thousands of people who, like us, treasure the Mütter Museum and fully support its mission to enhance the public’s understanding of human disease and the history of medical treatment.”
“The Postmortem process has provided great insight into how to improve the Museum experience, and I am confident that both the College and the Mütter are positioned for great days ahead.”
We thank everyone who has joined this immersive experience, which has prompted a great deal of reflection and dialogue. You have contributed to the Mütter Museum's legacy as we’ve charted a course towards a brighter, more informed tomorrow.
Upcoming Events & Programs
Postmortem Project: Medical History and New Perspectives
Wednesday, August 20, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Join us as our Museum team will share what it has learned during the Postmortem Project and how those takeaways will impact the interpretive approach moving forward. Attendees can expect the following highlights:
- Collections staff will present the Museum’s innovative de-anonymization research pilot project and plans to advance this work.
- Interpretation staff will be stationed throughout the galleries to explain how this groundbreaking research will be integrated into the visitor experience.
- Guests will have an interactive opportunity to apply the research methodologies detailed by the team and gain a deeper understanding of what it takes to restore personhood to a specimen.
This event is free and open to the public.
StorySlam: Let Them Speak
Wednesday, September 24, from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Join us for the second event in the series, StorySlam: Let Them Speak, in partnership with First Person Arts. This event will feature six individuals with unique perspectives sharing what the Museum means to them.
A Story Slam is “an invitation to share five minutes of their life in a room full of people who appreciate a well-told tale.” Speakers will highlight their personal connections to the collection, examine the ethical complexities surrounding collection and display, explore disability, and discuss the power of historical storytelling for restorative justice.
Tickets are $15.
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.
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.
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 .