body to medical science

[818564]

how do you leave your body to medical science and if you do would you still have to have a funeral

[CheekyChops]

I found this...

People wishing to leave their bodies to medical science must request an information pack and consent form from their local medical school. The completed and witnessed form should be kept with any Will made. A copy of it should be sent to your local medical school. This translates into a firm �bequest�.

You wouldn't have a funeral as such as you wouldn't be there - you could have a rememberance service or something though if you really wanted.

[Robinia]

You should talk to your own gp about it initially...a body having had a post mortem wouldn't be used. Respectful funerals are still held for the remains, with or without families in attendance, and whether or not a service was held at the time, although obviously it can be 2 or so years after death.

[Robinia]

I must add that there's a shortage of people offering to leave their bodies for research.
I'm thinking about it....they'd have their work cut out with my body!

[Ethel]

There is still a funeral - usually a cremation:

At the end of the period, the body will usually be cremated or buried at a special memorial service.

http://www.ifishoulddie.co.uk/donating-a-body- for-medical-research-c56.html

[Lil O'lady]

Please bear in mind the distrress that may be caused to those left behind, as part of the process is that when med science has finished with yer bits they tell yer relatives in case they want to bury them - as Robinia posts.
One reason why criminals and the dispossessed were main sources for medical cadavers in the past.

[saxy_jag]

A doctor I once worked for died of cancer and donated her whole body to medical science. There was no funeral because there was nothing for her family to dispose of, but there was a memorial service. This wasn't a Christian service, though, as the lady was an atheist. I think it was held at the nearby secular hall.

Some interesting information here:
http://www.hta.gov.uk/about_hta/donating_a_bod y_to_medical_science/how_to_donate_a_body.cfm

[cruella]

Hi,
My Mum left her body to medical research.
s ohter abers have mentioned, paperwork has to be done when you are of sound mind and body.
The medical University keeps your paperwork on record. After death, the head of the Department checks to body and decides if it is acceptable.
I had a memorial service for my Mum a few days later, but the University also had their own memorial service 18 months later to which all the deceased relatives were invited. You are also given the choice to accept the body back for a funeral, or the University carries out a cremation privately.
All students attend the University Service wich is carried out with dignity and respect.
There is also a book in which all the deceased names are recorded.

[bensmum]

I looked in to this myself as there is a shortage of bodies for research evidently. I need to look into it further but what made me stop and think was that I can't be an organ donor as well. It seems they want the whole body so if I died suddenly my understanding is that none of my organs could be used for transplant which I think I would prefer.

[wardie100]

I'm a medical student and we are lucky to have access to cadavers that have been donated to learn our anatomy. I know that every year a memorial service/cremation is held for the people who donated their bodies. Family and us medical students are invited to attend.

I think its great that your considering donating your body as its such a useful 'resource' to learn from.

[beejaybee]

My mum wanted to donate her body to medical research. She died last year in hospital aged 87. We notified the staff immediately about this. Unfortunately, her body was not accepted as she died of sceptecemia(sp).