Popes have been buried intact for over a thousand years. Benedict supports organ donation and was an organ donor since the 1970's when he was a cardinal. But he could no longer do so as a pope. When a person becomes a pope they give up everything that is personal.

They get no salary. The only money they get is after they die when small three bags containing gold, silver, and copper coins are placed beside the body in their coffin. Each bag contains one coin for each year the pope has reigned.

There is also an issue with sick people who are relic hunter's and who may harm a person who has received an organ transplant.