How to Donate a Body After Death

Donating a body is an act of goodwill that either an individual or family members can elect to do after death. In most cases, a donor card or forms are filled out by the individual, and an institution or method chosen for donation. There are medical schools and research facilities who gladly take acceptable donations for both medical study and research purposes. This method of donating an entire body is not the same as donating healthy organs for those needing transplants, but it is just as valuable as a learning tool.

Instructions

• 1

  Discuss the wishes of an individual with them prior to death, if possible. Many schools or research facilities require the donation to be made by the individual themselves, however some accept donations made by next of kin. The family member should be an executor or guardian, and it is wise to be sure all family is in agreement to avoid conflict before consenting to a donation.

• 2

  Locate a facility that meets the needs of the donation. Not all donations are accepted by every facility and at times they may not need any. Request a donation packet and discuss the terms of the donation with a representative from the facility chosen. There are several types of facilities that accept donations, primarily colleges with medical schools or medical research facilities.

• 3

  Prepare and sign any forms required and clarify any and all expenses. Research facilities and medical schools are not allowed to pay for the donation of bodies. Some facilities do perform cremations of the remains at a later date in time and return them to the family, however this is not always the case. Be sure of the exact procedure prior to the body being collected to avoid any confusion.

• 4

  Make any arrangements for a funeral service or memorial in accordance with the donation agreement. For instance an embalming likely cannot take place, so any funeral performed prior to transport of the donated body to the facility would have to take place within the guidelines specified in the agreement.