A Manhattan mortuary school has sued New York City to demand it resume a long-standing practice of sending unclaimed cadavers for its students to study.
The American Academy McAllister Institute of Funeral Service says it could lose its accreditation without more bodies.
The school's lawyer says students must participate in at least 10 clinical embalmings to earn their degree.
The lawsuit was filed against the city Health Department on Thursday.
It says the city medical examiner stopped sending bodies to the school in June. It says it's a violation of state law requiring the city to release cadavers to mortuary and medical schools promptly.
The city's Law Department said Friday it is reviewing the suit.
Copyright The Associated Press
