There are so many decisions to make when someone you love dies. Overwhelming decisions, some of them heartbreaking. One of the crucial decisions that comes very quickly after a death is how the body is managed.
Body donation is one option that’s available. Here are some reasons to look into donation:
Cost – no fee to the donor or family
Scientific contribution – donation advances the education of surgeons and anatomical researchers
Ease – transportation and other arrangements are managed by the donation management site
To donate a body to a medical school, the arrangements for donation might need to be made in advance of the death. Other services like MedCure or Science Care can be contacted at the time of death. Prearrangement is usually recommended but not always necessary. There are circumstances or diagnoses that can exclude someone from donating, so it’s a good idea to ask those questions before the death occurs. A backup option for managing the body should be discussed just in case the plan for donation falls through.
If you’re a hospice professional, you need to be educated on body donation to offer that option to your patients and families. Discussion about body donation options should always be part of advance care planning. Connect with your local medical schools or find an organization that is active in your service area. Both MedCure and Science Care offer programs to assist end of life teams to help patients coordinate decisions regarding body donation.
Body donation is not for everyone. It’s your choice. How you leave your legacy is entirely up to you. Explore body donation as a possible option for yourself or someone you love.