Donated bodies are used for testing new medical tools and equipment, testing car safety products, studying stages of advanced decay, studied for anatomy purposes, and testing new surgeries, among other things.
Consider the great need for donated organs. Every day about 79 people receive an organ transplant while 18 die waiting for a donor. One organ donor can save 8 lives. Most programs want a complete body donation. Other programs request that you pre-register any planned organ donations before donating your body.
Bodies that suffered extensive trauma or advanced decomposition won’t be accepted either.
Costs: Some programs will pay for body transport to the collecting facility, while others will charge. Find out what your family will be responsible for paying. Funeral or memorial options: Most programs will require almost immediate transportation of the body to the facility. You may want to find out when your cremated remains will be available to your family, if planning a service. They may be available several years after your death. Assistance from the program: Some programs perform a memorial service after the body has been used and before it’s cremated. The program will complete the death certificate and might give information for an obituary. Type of program: Some programs and facilities only use donated bodies for anatomical study. Others might use them as forensic tools to solve crimes, such as studying advanced decay. Make sure you’re comfortable with what the program will do with your body. Medical school or body broker: You have the option of donating to a for-profit corporation that sells your body parts, called a “body broker,” or you can donate to a university medical school. Since the advent of the broker corporations, schools are having a shortage of tissue they need for research. [2] X Research source
Check with the program you’re using about transportation costs. Most programs will pay to transport your body to the facility, but if you die far enough away from the facility, your family may be responsible for paying to get you there. [3] X Research source
Generally, the facility will cover the cost of cremation once the body is no longer being used for study, and some facilities have a cemetery plot where they will bury the bodies if that is requested. But, if your next-of-kin want the remains to be given back to them, they may end up having to cover the costs of cremation or burial.
Again, make these wishes clear to your family, since they’ll be fulfilling them after your death. It’s always a good idea to put it into writing and notify your attorney. Remember that you may be able to donate your organs even if you couldn’t donate your body. While the decision to harvest suitable organs will be made at the time of your death, you should fill out paperwork and inform your family in advance. This way, if your body isn’t accepted, your organs may be.
You may be given a wallet card to notify people of your intention to donate at the time of death. Carry it with you at all times.
For example, you may need multiple witnesses over the age of 21. Some programs specify that one witness must be a family member while the other should have legal ties to the family (like an attorney).
If you change your mind about donating your body, you can always opt out of the program. To do this, notify the program in writing and file a copy with your attorney.
Have all the necessary program information and contact details available for your family so they aren’t burdened with details while dealing with your death.
