Necklace: indication of wish to be cryogenically frozen after death

Medical necklace worn by person indicating their desire to be cryogenically preserved after death, supplied by Alcor Life Extension Foundation, United States, 1999. Carries protocol for medical attendants following death, giving contact details (see note).

Cryonics is the preservation at very low temperatures of bodies or body parts after death. It is used by people who hope that future medical science will be able to restore them to life, and find cures for any medical conditions they may have. The necklace has instructions for medical teams in case of the death of the wearer, such as the request that no post-mortem takes place. Necklaces like this are worn by people who have donated their bodies to the Alcor Life Extension Foundation, who carry out the procedure. Their symbol, a hexagon containing a snake coiled around a rod, is shown on the necklace.

It is shown here with two other ways to communicate a person’s wishes after death, a bracelet (1999-784) and a donor card (1999-785).