Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Body Donation
Support Scientific Discovery and Maybe Even Help Solve Crimes From the Afterlife.
Outline
What Is Body Donation?
Why People Choose to Donate Their Body
A Brief History of Body Donation + Addressing the Stigma
Body Donation Now
The Donation Process (Step by Step)
Cost to Donate
Donation Eligibility Requirements
Donation Categories Available in the US
How to Arrange Body Donation
Key Takeaways
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Body Donation - @goodgriefreliefco
What Is Body Donation?
Body donation (also called anatomical donation) is when a person chooses to give their body after death for medical education, training, or scientific research. Instead of burial or cremation, the body goes to a medical school, research facility, or donation program. Some view it as one final chance to make an impact on the world they leave behind.
Why People Choose to Donate Their Body
Help future doctors & researchers: Bodies are used in anatomy labs, surgical training, or new treatment development.
Reduce costs: Many programs cover transportation, cremation, and return of ashes — making it a low-cost alternative to traditional funerals.
Leave a legacy: Some see it as a final act of service to science and humanity.
A Brief History of Body Donation + Addressing the Stigma
Let’s take a step back and talk about the history of donation and how some less than savory past practices led to some common misconceptions about “donating your body to science.”
For centuries, the idea of donating a body after death carried heavy baggage. In the 18th and 19th centuries, medical schools desperately needed cadavers (sorry their word not mine, you are a meat sack to me) to train doctors, but few people volunteered. This led to the rise of “resurrectionists” or body snatchers 🫣, who stole corpses from graves to sell to medical schools. It fueled public outrage and a deep cultural suspicion around what happens to bodies after death.
By the mid-1800s, laws like the Anatomy Acts (in the UK and later the U.S.) tried to regulate supply, but often allowed the use of bodies from “poorhouses”, prisons, or unclaimed remains. That association with exploitation, poverty, and lack of consent left a lasting scar on how people viewed body donation.
Body Donation Now
In recent decades, body donation has been reframed as a final act of generosity — helping future doctors, advancing research, and even giving back to the community. Programs now emphasize consent, dignity, and memorialization. Many schools hold annual ceremonies honoring donors, with students writing letters of gratitude to families.
By talking openly about body donation, and acknowledging the historical baggage, we can start replacing fear with understanding. Instead of secrecy, it becomes what it should be: an intentional, empowering choice about your legacy.
The Donation Process (Step by Step)
Pre-Registration (Best Practice)
Most programs ask you to register while alive, filling out consent forms and health history.
Family cannot always donate on your behalf if you didn’t register.
At Time of Death
The program is notified immediately (often within hours).
They confirm eligibility (certain infectious diseases, extreme obesity, or trauma may exclude donation).
Transportation
The donation program arranges pickup and transport to their facility (often at no cost).
Use in Education/Research
See more on various uses in the section below.
Final Disposition
After studies are complete (typically 6–24 months), the program arranges cremation.
Ashes are either returned to the family or scattered in a memorial garden, depending on the program.
Cost to Donate
Generally free or very low cost - see guide below for breakdown on costs for various programs.
Programs typically cover transportation, storage, and cremation. Families may still pay for:
Death certificates
Obituary or memorial service
Transport if outside service area
Donation Eligibility Requirements
Vary by program. Common reasons for exclusion:
Certain infectious diseases (HIV, hepatitis, TB)
Severe trauma, decomposition, or recent major surgery
High body weight or unusual conditions that complicate embalming/preservation
Always check with specific programs for rules.
Donation Categories Available in the US
Look for Ethical Accreditation! Many programs are accredited by the AATB, ensuring ethical and quality handling of donors. You actually have a variety of options and programs tend to fall into categories. Some of your choices include:
Whole Body Donation for Teaching and Research
Donated bodies may be used to study diseases, develop new medical devices, or test treatments. Or, in anatomy labs to teach med students, or in surgical training labs for doctors learning new procedures.
Where it goes: Medical schools, teaching hospitals, or research institutes.
Purpose: Used for anatomy education, surgical training, or medical research.
Process: The body is embalmed or preserved and studied for months to years. Afterward, it’s usually cremated and ashes may be returned to the family.
Key point: It’s about teaching and research for medicine.
Organ & Tissue Donation (vs. Whole Body)
Organ donation is not the same as whole-body donation, but related. People can choose to donate specific organs or tissues (eyes, skin, bone, ligaments) for transplant or research. In some cases, you can donate organs first and then still donate the rest of the body to another program. Not all programs allow this, since organ recovery can limit research use.
Where it goes: Organ procurement organizations first, then possibly a whole-body donation program.
Purpose: Organs/tissues are transplanted into living patients first, and then the remaining body may be used for medical education or research.
Process: Not always possible. Many whole-body programs cannot accept bodies that have had major organ removal (since it limits teaching and research use). A few programs accept them, but families need to confirm in advance.
Key point: This option combines life-saving transplants with later scientific/teaching contributions, but acceptance depends heavily on the donation program.
Forensic Research (“Body Farms”)
For the true crime junkies out there, this might be your path. Body farms turn your obsession into real-world crime-fighting.Your death could help law enforcement solve cases and push forensic science forward. (And hey, you can even leave a note in your will specifying that it’s always the husband 😛).
Where it goes: Forensic anthropology research facilities (e.g., University of Tennessee’s “Body Farm”). Some universities have forensic anthropology facilities (aka body farms) where scientists study how human remains decompose in different environments.
Purpose: To study decomposition in real-world conditions. This process helps train law enforcement, improve time-of-death estimates, and solve crimes.
Process: Donated bodies are placed in outdoor research environments (sun, shade, buried, submerged, etc.) and studied as they decompose.
Key point: It’s about forensic science and criminal justice, not medical training.
Education Outside Medicine
In some rare cases, bodies are used in non-medical training (like crash test research or military safety testing). Most families prefer to go through accredited medical schools or programs to ensure dignity and oversight even though these programs are also designed to help save future lives.
How to Arrange Body Donation
Pre-register: Contact a local medical school or donation program (e.g., Science Care, MedCure, university programs).
Carry documentation: Let your executor and family know your wishes, and keep program contact info with your important documents.
Interesting Fact: Anatomical Gifts Are Irrevocable – Once made (and not revoked before death), a donation is legally binding, even without family consent in many states.
Executor responsibility: At death, your executor must notify the program quickly (bodies are only viable for a limited window).
Key Takeaways
Body donation is a meaningful, low-cost option that advances science and medicine.
Pre-registration is essential. Families may not be able to donate after the fact.
Funeral services can still be held — with or without ashes returned later.
If body donation is declined (due to medical conditions), families should have a backup plan (cremation or burial).
US Body Donation Programs & Resources
| Program / Institution | Category | Sign-Up / Info Link | Cost to Donor / Family |
|---|---|---|---|
| Science Care | Whole-Body Donation | sciencecare.com | Free — covers transport, cremation, paperwork, and return of remains |
| Mayo Clinic Body Donation | Whole-Body Donation | mayoclinic.org | Typically free; some transport/paperwork costs may apply |
| University of Wisconsin (Madison) Willed Body Program | Whole-Body Donation (Academic) | med.wisc.edu | Free — program covers main costs; families pay obituary/death certificate fees |
| Indiana University Anatomical Donation | Whole-Body Donation (Academic) | medicine.iu.edu | Free — covers transport, embalming, cremation; family covers obituary/death certificate fees |
| University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) Body Donor Program | Whole-Body Donation (Academic) | unr.edu | Free — includes cremation; memorial service offered |
| NEOMED (Ohio) Body Donation Program | Whole-Body Donation (Academic) | neomed.edu | Free — no compensation by law; backup plan recommended |
| University of New England (UNE), Australia | Whole-Body Donation (Academic) | une.edu | Free — transport, cremation, return of remains covered; over-distance costs < $1000 |
| United Tissue Network (UTN) | Whole-Body Donation (Public) | unitedtissue.org | Free — covers transport, cremation, ashes return; saves $1,200–7,000 vs traditional funeral |
| University of Kentucky Willed Body Program | Whole-Body Donation (Academic) | uky.edu | Typically free; specifics available from program office |
| University of Western Australia | Whole-Body Donation (Academic) | uwa.edu.au | Free — honors donors via tri-year memorial service and Garden dedication |
| Western Sydney University (NSW, Australia) | Whole-Body Donation (Academic) | westernsydney.edu.au | Free — covers transport, cremation; ashes returned or scattered in memorial garden |
| University of Newcastle (Australia) | Whole-Body Donation (Academic) | newcastle.edu.au | Free — regional program; contact for scope and conditions |
| Adelaide Medical School (South Australia) | Whole-Body Donation (Academic) | adelaide.edu.au | Free — centralized mortuary system covering all anatomical donations in SA |
| James Cook University (NQ, Australia) | Whole-Body Donation (Academic) | News reference | Free — educational use; holds thanksgiving service and memorial plaque |
| University of Melbourne | Whole-Body Donation (Academic) | PDF info | Free — specific eligibility; commemorative service held |
| NSW Health General Info (Australia) | Regulatory / Info | health.nsw.gov.au | Usually no cost; donation programs prefer pre-registration |
| UK Human Tissue Authority (HTA) | Regulatory Authority (UK) | Wikipedia: Human Tissue Authority | Donation costs and standards regulated; cost depends on institution |
Global Body Donation Programs & Resources
| Program / Institution | Country | Donation Type | Website / Info Link | Cost to Donor/Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newcastle University | UK | Whole-Body Donation (Academic) | ncl.ac.uk | Not stated — regulated by HTA |
| University of Oxford | UK | Whole-Body Donation (Academic) | dpag.ox.ac.uk | Not stated — standard academic program |
| University of Aberdeen | UK | Whole-Body Donation (Academic) | abdn.ac.uk | Free if within catchment area; donor outside bears transport cost |
| University of Dundee | UK | Whole-Body Donation (Academic) | dundee.ac.uk | Not stated — academic program |
| Queen’s University Belfast | UK | Whole-Body Donation (Academic) | qub.ac.uk | Not stated — regulated by HTA |
| University of Leeds | UK | Whole-Body Donation (Academic) | medicinehealth.leeds.ac.uk | Not stated — academic program |
| University of Western Australia (UWA) | Australia | Whole-Body Donation (Academic) | uwa.edu.au | Free; holds tri-year memorial service |
| University of Queensland (UQ) | Australia | Whole-Body Donation (Academic) | uq.edu.au | Free; includes biennial thanksgiving ceremony |
| University of New England (UNE) | Australia | Whole-Body Donation (Academic) | une.edu.au | Free — academic program |
| James Cook University | Australia | Whole-Body Donation (Academic) | couriermail.com.au | Free; commemorative plaque and triennial service |
| University of Melbourne | Australia | Whole-Body Donation (Academic) | unimelb.edu.au | Not stated — academic program |
| University of Cambridge | UK | Whole-Body Donation (Academic) | pdn.cam.ac.uk | Not stated — academic program |
| Human Tissue Authority (HTA) | UK | Regulatory / Oversight | Wikipedia: Human Tissue Authority | N/A — oversight body only |
| AFTER Body Farm | Australia | Forensic Research | Wikipedia: Body Farm | N/A — for research only |
| REST[ES] Body Farm | Canada | Forensic Research | Wikipedia: Body Farm | N/A — for research only |