How Does Donating Your Body to Science Really Work? – 2024 Update

Donating your body to science (also called “anatomical gift”) is a noble way to deal with the disposition of your remains after death. By contributing to science, in some way, you help to find a cure for deadly diseases like AIDS or cancer.

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Donating your body to science is also an excellent way to avoid the cost of a funeral and burial. You don’t need to pay one dime for funeral if you choose to go this route.

• No embalming cost – embalming prevents the specific test from being performed because it damages the tissues
• No casket cost – you don’t need a coffin, but you can rent one from the funeral home if you want to have a memorial service
• No cremation fee – facilities that accept whole body donations provide a free cremation.

It is both a practical and ethical way of leaving a lasting legacy.

In most cases, you will know in advance if you will qualify for this program. So if you feel like you would like to leave a legacy and help the continuance of medical training or you want to forego the cost of a funeral – then sign up for whole body donation.

This article will give all the information you need to know about whole-body donations and if it’s right for you.

FOR EASIER NAVIGATION:

• Whole Body Donation In The United States
• Types Of Body Donation
• How Does Donating Your Body To Science Really Work?
• Donating Your Body To Science: Frequently Asked Questions
• Donating To Science Resources
• How Can Funeral Funds Help Me?
• Additional Questions & Answers On Donating Your Body To Science

Whole Body Donation In The United States

Body donation also called an anatomical gift, or body bequest is the donation of the entire body after death for education and research. Donated bodies are used to study gross anatomy and surgical anatomy and continue medical education.

For many years, only medical schools have accepted whole body donations. Today, private programs are also accepting whole bodies for donations. There are many private whole-body donation programs in the US. Most of these programs accept bodies from their surrounding areas.

There is generally no cost to donate a body to science. Most programs cover the cremation cost once the remains have served its purpose and returned the ashes to the families.

The Uniform Anatomical Gift Act governs a person’s legal right to choose whole body donation. Most states largely adopt it.

Many states instituted programs and regulations regarding body parts and whole body donation. United States House Bill 5318 indicates that Health and Human Services would oversee the body donation industry.

Any person planning on donating his body to science may do so through a willed body program. The donor is required to make a prior arrangement or pre-registration with the local medical school, university, or whole-body donation program before death. He needs to sign a consent form and know the information about the policies and procedures that will happen to their body when they die.

Donors must decide to donate their remains after death, and your power of attorney cannot make the decision for you. Only the legal next-of-kin of the donor could provide the necessary consent for the donation if the deceased did not submit it to the accepting facility after death.

Many medical programs in the US today hold student-led memorial services for the corpses of body donation to show respect for the donors and their families.

Types Of Body Donation

ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION

Organ and tissue donation is a great way to help others. You can donate your organs or tissue only. Your family can keep your body to bury or cremate. If you wish to be an organ donor, the next time you renew your driver’s license check the box that says “organ donor.”

WHOLE BODY DONATION

Nearly every medical school or college of medicine has a full body donation program, which is also called the willed body program. Whole-body donation is the best way for individuals who want to donate their whole bodies and avoid the cost of a funeral. There are whole-body programs in the US to assist institutions and organizations.

Medical schools and independent donation programs can provide free transportation, a copy of the death certificate, cremation, and return of the ashes to the family.

To find whole body donation programs near you, consult the University of Florida’s list of U.S. body donation programs.

BODY FARM

You can donate your whole body to a “body farm”. If you choose this option, your family cannot have your remains back. There are seven body farms in the US. Body farms like the University of Tennessee’s Forensic Anthropology Center will use your body to teach students about the various states of decomposition.

Body farms are areas of land where donated bodies are laid to be studied for human decomposition. Scientist and researchers will put the donated bodies so that they can explore the effects of environment and trauma to decomposition. All the costs associated with the donation are covered by the body farm except the transportation of the body to the facility.

PLASTINATION

Whole-body can be donated and preserved using the plastination procedure. The donated body is preserved by replacing bodily fluids and fats with hardening plastic. The bodies are hardened with heat, gas, and light.

The whole body donation program is currently managed by the Institute for Plastination in Heidelberg, Germany, and put in display in different parts of the world. They are not accepting new body donations because they are at full capacity, but you can check back in as time progresses.

How Does Donating Your Body To Science Really Work?

How do you donate your body to science? Donating your body to science is an easy process. Here are the ways:

STEP 1: LOOK FOR A BODY DONATION PROGRAM

Many universities and medical schools have whole body donation programs. You can also find some independent donation programs throughout the country.

Look for body donation programs near your area to make the transportation of the body easier. We created a list of resources down below to help you locate a program you can register to.

STEP 2: PRE-REGISTER TO THE PROGRAM

It’s an essential requirement for you to pre-register at your chosen program. Go to your nearest facility and complete the forms in the registration packet, including all paperwork and the consent form.

It depends on the program or organization you decide to donate how the registration and donation program works. Some programs require you to pre-register at least 30 days before death, while other programs may consider a donation at the time of death.

You must complete the donor consent form according to the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA). These can be filled in during a pre-registration or completed by the donor’s legal next of kin at the time of death.

STEP 3: KNOW YOUR OBLIGATIONS

Know the policy of the program regarding whole body donation. Many organizations will shoulder all the expenses, inclusive of the transportation of the body and cremation. Some programs do not include transportation of the body.

Be familiar with the policies; that way, you can make a backup plan if necessary.

If you choose to have an organ or tissue donation only to save someone’s life instead of a whole-body donation, you need to register with the Network For Organ Sharing. Also, check the box on organ donation when you renew your driver’s license.

STEP 4: LET YOUR LOVED ONES KNOW

It’s crucial to let your family or anybody in charge of making your funeral arrangements know about your decision regarding whole body donation. If they are unaware of this, it can cause some complications when you die.

Let your loved ones know that you have made the pre-registration and all the needed paperwork. Make sure that the people handling your final affairs are well aware of your decision so that they can tell the funeral director to inform the donation program about your passing away.

STEP 5: AMEND YOUR WILL

If you decide to donate your body to science, make sure you have instructions in your will. After updating your will, tell your loved ones so that they will know what to do and who to contact when you pass away.

It’s also a great idea to tell your doctor about your final wishes. Put your wishes in writing. These legal documents can spell out your wishes about your end-of-life medical treatment when you can no longer decide for yourself.

STEP 6: MAKE A BACKUP PLAN

It’s possible that the body donation program may decline to accept your body donation; therefore, you need to be prepared and have a backup plan.

You need to have something to cover the cost of your funeral and other final expenses. Having burial insurance, final expense insurance, or funeral insurance to cover the cost of your end-of-life expenses will lift the financial burden on your family.

Donating Your Body To Science: Frequently Asked Questions

Can anyone donate his body to science?

YES, medical institutions and private donation programs accept donations from all ages, locations, and ethnicities.

Some facilities require bodies with certain pre-existing medical conditions for specific training or research purposes.

Illnesses such as stroke, cancer, dementia, arthritis, and diabetes will not disqualify you for donation.

There are some general restrictions on eligibility. These medical conditions may not be qualified for body donation:

• HIV 1 or 2, AIDS-related deaths are not accepted
• Hepatitis B or C
• Syphilis
• Kidney failure or jaundice
• A severe viral or bacterial infection that resulted in the isolation
• Fluid retention or edema
• Death caused by extensive trauma
• Obesity

It is possible that the program for body donation may reject your donation; therefore, you should make an alternative arrangement if necessary.

How long does the body donation process take?

If your loved ones pre-registered for body donation, contact the body donation program immediately after death.

The facility will arrange to collect the body from the place of death. They will process the anatomical donation and arrange the cremation after the donation.

Usually, the cremated remains are available within 4-6 weeks. Sometimes, it may take longer if the facility used the body for specific research. Generally, all donations are completed within 12 weeks.

Can my body be used for specific scientific studies upon my request?

NO, your body can’t be used for a specific study even if you request it. Medical schools and private donation organizations don’t always know what they will be working on in advance when they receive a body.

After deciding which organization you want to donate to, try requesting a particular program and if they will grant your request.

Are medical groups my only option for body donation?

Forensic research is another way to donate aside from medical research. There are seven body farms in the US where that will leave your body to decompose under different conditions.

Can donating my body to science hinder social security, pension or insurance payout?

NO. The final disposition method of your body will not affect any of your benefits, pension, or insurance entitlements.

Your beneficiary will only need to present your death certificates for these purposes.

Can I get paid for donating my whole body to science?

NO. Federal law prohibits the buying and selling of organs, tissue or body for transplant, research, or medical education.

If I donate my body to science, can I still have a memorial or funeral service?

Yes! Absolutely. Open casket funeral is still possible.

To get specific instructions, contact the facility or program that will process your body donation to get specific information on the internment procedure.

Is it enough to indicate that I want to donate my body on my driver’s license?

No. Only organ donations are indicated on the driver’s license. You have to make a pre-registration to a medical school or private donation program for whole-body donation.

Is donating my organ possible if I want whole body donation?

Only the program you choose can determine if you can or can’t donate your tissues or organs to science.

Some private donation programs allow organ donation with a whole-body donation, while medical schools typically don’t. If you decide on donating both, inquire about the facility before making registration.

Are there any expenses involve with donating your body to science?

NO. Generally, the body donation program will arrange everything, from collecting your body, transporting to the donation facility, arranging the death certificate, cremation the body after the donation, and returning the remains to the family.

What makes body donation popular today is the FREE CREMATION and no-cost funeral alternative for people that cannot afford a funeral.

Check with the donation organization because some of them don’t cover the cost of transportation of the remains to the facility.

Carefully check the details before deciding to donate and which organization to use.

How does your religious organization affect donating your body to science?

Most major religions accept the practice of body donation. Some even encourage it. Protestant faith, Catholic faith, and some reformed Jewish religious leaders approve body donation.

If you’re unsure of it, you should consult your pastor or spiritual leader.

Do we get the cremated ashes back after the donation?

YES, generally the cremated remains are returned in an urn to the family to conduct their own memorial service.

How do I learn about body donation programs?

There are different ways to find out information about body donation programs. We have included links to some resources below. There is lots of information available on the internet, or you can consult your nearest medical school for information.

Donating To Science Resources

Listing of U.S. body donation programs – http://anatbd.acb.med.ufl.edu/usprograms/

International Society for Organ Donation: https://www.tts.org/isodp/about-isodp/welcome-to-isodp

Organ Donor – https://www.organdonor.gov/about/facts-terms/donation-faqs.html

Forensic Anthropology Center https://fac.utk.edu/

Private Anatomical Donation Programs:

Science Care – https://www.sciencecare.com/

Anatomical Gift Association https://www.agaillinois.org/

MedCure Body Donations https://medcure.org/

United Tissue Network https://unitedtissue.org/

BioGift https://biogift.org/

How Can Funeral Funds Help Me?

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Fill out our quote form on this page or call us at 888) 862-9456, and we can give you an accurate quote.

Additional Questions & Answers On Body Donation

What is a body donated to science called?

Body donation to science after death is also called anatomical donation or body bequest. Anybody who wants to donate their body may go through a willed body program to donate their body to science and be used for medical or education research.

Can I donate my body to science while alive?

Yes, you have the option to donate any of your organs while you are still alive. This happens in the case of organ transplants. But, full-body donations are made posthumously.

What are the benefits of donating your body to science?

The greatest benefit of body donation to science is that it saves lives. It allows physicians to practice and upgrade their skills. Body donations usually result in medical advancements and breakthroughs.

Can you donate organs and donate your body to science?

Yes, you can donate some organs while you are still alive and donate your body to science when you pass away. You can request your body to be donated to science following your death and ask for cremation as your final disposition.

What are the requirements for donating your body to science?

You need to make a simple statement or authorization for body donation without restrictions. You can make this anatomical gift through organizations like Science Care.

How do I donate my body to science after death?

You need to go to an anatomical institute (university, hospital, or organization) to fill out a consent form. Wait for the anatomical institute to send you a confirmation and donor card. Notify your loved ones about your decision so they will know what to do when you pass away.

What happens to your body if you donate it to science?

Your donor information is kept on file. When you become terminally ill, your loved ones need to contact the anatomical institute, enter hospice, or receive palliative care to perform medical screening. When you pass away the donation process will begin.

If you meet the program requirements, then your body will be transported to the facility. The program will get specimens for surgical training and education. The remains will be cremated and returned to the family.

How do you donate your body to science after death?

Find an anatomical institute, it can be a hospital, university, or organization where you want to donate your body. Fill out an authorization form. Wait for the confirmation and the donor card. Inform your family about your decision. When you pass away your family will notify the anatomical institute to process your remains.

How do you become a whole-body donor?

Many anatomical institutions encourage whole-body donations. Register your intent by signing an authorization form from the organization of your choice. Let your loved ones know about your intentions so that they will know what to do when you pass away.

Can I leave my body to science?

Yes, you can leave your body science if you are 17 or older. You must give written consent to the scientific institute of your choice.

Can whole body be donated?

Yes, the whole body can be donated to science. Your body can be used for medical research and the advancement of education. If you plan to donate your body to science, you must make prior arrangements with any anatomical institution like hospitals, medical universities, or non-government organizations.

Can I donate my husband’s body to science?

The wife cannot decide to give her husband’s body to science without his consent. The Anatomy Act 1977 states that the person must provide consent for whole body donation in writing before their death.

Is there an age limit on leaving your body to science?

There is no specific age limit for body donation, but you need to be at least 17 years old to consider for whole body donation.

How much does whole body donation cost?

Whole-body donations cost nothing in general. Expenses incurred after death include transportation of the body to the anatomical institution’s location, filing of death certificates, and funeral home services.

What disqualifies you from donating your body to science?

You can be disqualified for whole body donation to science if you have an infectious or contagious disease such as HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis B or c, or prion disease.

You can also be disqualified if your body was autopsied, mutilated, or decomposed. If your next of kin objects to the donation, you will be disqualified.

What would disqualify you from donating plasma?

You cannot donate plasma if you are not feeling well, you have a fever, or have a productive cough. If you are receiving antibiotics for active infections. Medical conditions like chronic illness, hepatitis, HIV, or AIDS will automatically disqualify you from donating plasma.

Who Cannot donate organs?

You can choose to donate your organs to science but people who have some significant conditions like infectious diseases, hepatitis B and C, HIV, or AIDS cannot donate their organs to science.

How much does it cost to donate your body to science?

There is generally no cost to donate your body to science. Most of the time the cremation of your remains is even free.

Does it cost anything to donate your body to science?

It doesn’t cost a thing to donate your body to science. This is the least expensive way to take care of your funeral because cremation of the remains is free.

Do you get paid for donating your body to science?

No, you won’t get paid for donating your body to science because it is against the law.

Do organ donors get paid?

No, organ donors are not paid because it is against the law.

Do you have a funeral if you leave your body to medical science?

You can still have a funeral after your body donations. Some medical schools can arrange for cremation but your family can request the return of your body for a funeral or memorial service.

What do they do with bodies donated to science?

The bodies donated to science are used for medical education and research.

How many bodies are donated to science each year?

The estimated number of Americans who donate their body to science every year is 20,000. These people donate their bodies to be used to advance medical science and train physicians.

How long do they keep your body when you donate it to science?

A well-preserved body can last anywhere from 18 months to 10 years. Once the anatomical institute is done with it, they cremate the body and return it to the families.

What is the organ in greatest demand?

The most in-demand organ of the body is the kidney, according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

What transplant Did Steve Jobs Get?

Steve Jobs received a liver transplant in 2009 at the Tennessee facility. He died from pancreatic tumor complications in 2011.

Can death row inmates be organ donors?

Yes, death row inmates can be organ donors. There are no laws prohibiting inmates from donating organs after death. However, all requests by inmates for organ donation have been denied since 2013.

Which organ is hardest to transplant?

The lungs are the most difficult to transplant because they are highly susceptible to infections during the late stages of the donor’s life.