How to Donate a Body to Science in Canada

You can donate your body to science in Canada with a little planning and preparation. If you do, you potentially will further medical research and help many people in the future. An additional incentive is that you and your family will not have to pay funeral costs---at least $2,000 in Canadian currency. You effectively can save lives and money at your death.

Things You'll Need

• Consent forms

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Instructions

• 1

  Inform your family and doctor of your decision to leave your body to science. It is important that the health care provider knows at the time of death the wishes of the deceased in regard to the physical body.

• 2

  Ensure the body will be intact. A body that has undergone an autopsy, serious trauma, fire damage or recent abdominal surgery may not be of scientific use.

• 3

  Decide whether you want to donate your whole body to medical science or a specific organ to an organ donation agency. You cannot designate both. Make your intentions clear in your will.

• 4

  Bequeath your body to a medical school or university. Most institutions pay the cost of cremating the remains. Many schools hold annual memorial services for donated bodies, honoring their contributions to medical research; families are invited to attend.

• 5

  Choose a medical school, university or organ donation center in your proximity. Many institutions seek donors. Examples include the Gift of Life program in Ontario and the Body Donation Program at Dalhousie University. Look for similar programs in your area.

• 6

  Fill in and sign all required consent forms and make sure all relevant parties have copies of them.