'Body Worlds' exhibit by 'Dr. Death' banned in Berlin

BERLIN, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- German authorities have banned a museum from displaying a popular exhibit featuring specially preserved corpses for violating funeral laws.

David Eckel, a spokesman for the new Menschen, or "Humans," museum in Berlin, said authorities have banned the facility from displaying 20 bodies and 200 body parts preserved via a special plastination process by anatomist Gunther von Hagens, known by the nickname "Dr. Death."

Eckle said Berlin authorities told the museum the exhibit violates local laws stating deceased human remains must be buried.

Von Hagens' "Body Worlds" exhibit was previously displayed in Berlin in 2001, 2009 and 2011.

Eckle said von Hagens is appealing the decision.

Von Hagens announced in 2012 he is suffering from Parkinson's and has made arrangements to have his own body plastinated when he dies.