After a loss

Donating a body to science

Often arranged ahead of time, and not always accepted.

Some people choose to donate their body to a medical school or research program. It can help train doctors and surgeons, and it often lowers costs for the family.

How it usually works

• Most people register in advance with a program, often run by a university medical school.
• At death, the family or hospice calls the program, which decides whether to accept.
• Many programs pay for transport within a set area and for cremation afterward.
• Ashes are usually returned to the family later, often a year or more after the death.

Why a donation might be turned down

Programs can decline a body for many reasons, including certain infections, recent major surgery, an autopsy, body size or the program being full. Because of this, many families keep a backup plan, such as a cremation provider.

Other things to know

• Organ donation for transplant is separate. Sometimes both are possible.
• There's usually no funeral with the body present, but families can hold a memorial.
• Some for-profit companies also accept bodies. Many families prefer university programs and ask how remains are used.