What to Know About Donating Your Body to Science

By choosing to donate, you can make a lasting impact, helping future doctors, scientists, researchers, and healthcare professionals advance their knowledge about the human body. If you’re thinking about this option, here’s what you should know.

How Whole-Body Donation Helps

Body donation contributes to medical advancements in many ways, including:

• Training medical students and surgeons
• Advancing disease research (e.g., Alzheimer’s, cancer, and Parkinson’s)
• Testing new surgical techniques and medical devices
• Improving forensic and anatomical studies

Rules and regulations relating to body donation vary from state to state. Some states have dedicated programs that handle the process for all eligible donor programs. Each entity that accepts body donations, usually universities with medical schools, has different rules about who can donate and detailed policies about how the process works. While there is currently no federal regulation on scientific body donation in the United States, one important rule applies to every program—you have to register in advance. No one can choose to donate someone’s body after that person passes away.

If you decide to donate your body, you should:

• Choose an organization: Universities, medical schools, and private organizations accept body donations.
• Find out about related costs. Some organizations charge the donor or their survivors for the donation.
• Complete the necessary paperwork: Most programs require pre-registration, including consent forms and medical history information.
• Inform your loved ones: Make sure your family and executor are aware of your wishes and have contact information for the program you’ve selected.
• Be aware that donor bodies can be rejected for several reasons, each unique to the donor’s chosen program. If the donation is rejected, funeral directors can offer alternative methods for putting the remains to rest.

What Happens After Donation?

The donation process can last from a few months to several years, depending on how the body is used. When studies are complete, most programs provide cremation and return the ashes to the family if requested.

Families can hold a memorial service without the physical remains present. Some organizations also host annual remembrance ceremonies for donors, offering an opportunity for families to honor their loved one’s contribution to science.

Who Can Donate

Most people are eligible to donate their bodies to science, but there may be restrictions depending on the institution. Common disqualifications include:

• Certain infectious diseases (e.g., HIV, hepatitis)
• Severe obesity
• Recent major surgeries or trauma
• Organs already removed for transplant (though some organizations accept partial donations)

It’s best to check with specific programs to determine eligibility requirements.

Donating your body to science is a generous and meaningful way to leave a legacy that benefits future generations. If you are interested in learning more, many universities and nonprofit organizations provide resources on whole-body donation. Take the time to explore your options so you make an informed and thoughtful decision, have open conversations with your loved ones, and ensure your wishes are properly documented.