The Basics of Donating Your Body to Science

If you want to donate your body to science, you have to be willing to give up the traditional burial, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a memorial service that reflects your personality. Here’s an overview of what to think about about what’s involved in donating your body for scientific purposes:

• Why Donate Your Body to Science

• How to Donate Your Body to Science

• Your Memorial Service

• Religious Restrictions 

• Where to Find a Place to Donate Yourself

Why Donate Your Body to Science
Medical schools are always willing to take in bodies to study, and are typically in need of more donors. The donation of bodies brings us one step closer to saving future lives through research.

How to Donate Your Body to Science
Since medical schools cannot buy bodies or request bodies, a person has to seek out the school and offer their body for study. Anyone can donate their body; there are no demographic or psychographic tests to pass in order to be a candidate. It is important to plan your body donation with the institution ahead of time, because it can sometimes be required. It is not common for friends and family to decide to donate your body after death, so pre-plan your body donation. 

Your Memorial Service
Since body donation does not allow for a traditional funeral, family and friends typically hold a memorial service in honor of the deceased. Some donation programs will fund a memorial service as a thank you for donating. This means that the funeral process has a lower cost, because there is no casket, no service, no viewing, no burial plot, etc.

Religious Restrictions 
If planning body donation for you or a loved one make sure you consult your/their religious director about body donation as many religions do not allow it within their faith.

Where to Find a Place to Donate Yourself
Find a body donation institution near you.