Leaving your body to science can be a way to carry on giving back after your death, helping train future generations of doctors and furthering our medical knowledge. But how do you go about it? Can anyone do it? And what is the role of the funeral director if you do choose to leave your body to a medical school or research establishment? We answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the subject – and share some of our experiences.
Anyone can leave their body for medical research and training, but the minimum age is 17 and some medical conditions may lead to the offer being declined.
You need to contact your local medical school licensed by The Human Tissue Authority to receive bodies or other human materials. They can answer your questions and provide you with the necessary consent forms, which have to be witnessed prior to death. You should keep the consent form with your Will so that your relatives and executors know to honour your wishes.
It is helpful to discuss your intention with your loved ones, ideally before you start the process, as this can help them understand your wishes. When you have signed the consent forms, you should tell your close family, executor(s) and your doctor of your intention to donate.
Under the Human Tissue Act 2004, consent cannot be given by anybody else after your death, so unless you have signed the necessary consent forms yourself, your body cannot be donated to science, even if you have discussed with your relatives or executors that you would like to do this.
Medical schools that are licensed to collect accepted bodies normally only do so from the local area, due to the transportation costs involved. If you wish to leave your body to a medical school that is not near you, you may be able to do so on the condition that your estate pays the transportation costs.
A donated body can be used for a number of different purposes, including training about anatomical structure or surgical procedures, or research.
Not necessarily. If you have developed certain medical conditions after signing the consent forms, these may mean the medical school is unable to accept your body. Post-mortems can also make a body unsuitable for training or medical research.
It is helpful to discuss with your family, executors and doctor what you would like to happen in the event that your body is not suitable for donation. Our guides can help you decide.
You will still need a funeral director to collect your body initially and to liaise with your local medical school. Your funeral director will also be able to guide your family/executor(s) through the process of registering your death. Additionally, they will be able to help them arrange a commemoration of your life, which can play an important part in the grieving process, even if your body has been accepted for donation.
Over the more than three decades that we have been arranging funeral for families in West Kent and Southeast London, Welham Jones has supported many families in upholding the wishes of the deceased to donate their body to science. This is an important role, as we have to liaise with the local medical school to ensure they will be able to accept the donated body. Recent feedback that we received demonstrates the high standards to which we perform this role:
“Your team has been great with the clarity you have provided, and I wish that all funeral directors followed the same standards. We are glad to know that (the deceased) is in such good hands.”
By completing a Letter of Wishes form, you can convey your wishes about the funeral you want and – at the same time – save your family from having to make any difficult decisions during a time of grief. The letter of wishes form for funerals It is not legally binding but is a useful and confidential communication to your loved ones.
People’s mindsets and attitudes towards funerals and death have shifted, with many viewing funerals as an opportunity to celebrate life, rather than mourn it. The first key decision you must make is whether you want to be cremated or buried and where you might like your final resting place to be. These decisions are all flexible and should be discussed with your funeral director.
Welham Jones has made it through to the finals of the Family Business of the Year Awards. Shortlisted in the South East category, the family values that run through every aspect of our business have been key in helping us reach the finals.
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