Donating Your Body to Science: A Guide for Australians
Donating Your Body to Science: A Guide for Australians
Donating your body to medical research or training is a meaningful way to advance science after you pass. At Funera Sydney, we've created this guide explaining body donation programs to help you make an informed choice.
Donating your body to medical research or training is a meaningful way to advance science after you pass. At Funera Sydney, we've created this guide explaining body donation programs to help you make an informed choice.
Understanding Body Donation Programs
Around 2,000 Australians donate their bodies yearly. Reasons include eliminating funeral costs, contributing to discoveries, and training the next generation of health professionals.
Around 2,000 Australians donate their bodies yearly. Reasons include eliminating funeral costs, contributing to discoveries, and training the next generation of health professionals.
Eligibility Considerations
Each institution has criteria, commonly excluding infectious diseases, obesity, dementia, and residing in certain countries.
Each institution has criteria, commonly excluding infectious diseases, obesity, dementia, and residing in certain countries.
The Donation Process
After notifying the institution, your body will be tested then embalmed if accepted. Students may study anatomy, while some tissues could further research. Remains are treated respectfully, then cremated or buried by the university after up to eight years.
After notifying the institution, your body will be tested then embalmed if accepted. Students may study anatomy, while some tissues could further research. Remains are treated respectfully, then cremated or buried by the university after up to eight years.
Costs to Families
Costs like death certificates may fall to your estate. The university covers cremation or burial in their grounds, not public spaces. Some return ashes to families. We can advise on scatterings or memorials without the body present.
Costs like death certificates may fall to your estate. The university covers cremation or burial in their grounds, not public spaces. Some return ashes to families. We can advise on scatterings or memorials without the body present.
How to Arrange Donation
There is no national register, so contact your chosen university or research organisation directly to apply. Inform your family, doctor, and caregivers beforehand so they honour your wishes.
There is no national register, so contact your chosen university or research organisation directly to apply. Inform your family, doctor, and caregivers beforehand so they honour your wishes.
Withdrawing Consent
You may withdraw consent by notifying the institution in writing. Your next-of-kin can overrule donation after you pass.
You may withdraw consent by notifying the institution in writing. Your next-of-kin can overrule donation after you pass.
Donating Organs
Donating organs doesn't preclude body donation, but the programs rarely overlap.
Donating organs doesn't preclude body donation, but the programs rarely overlap.
Donating Brains
Those with dementia can donate their brain tissue specifically through Australian brain banks - a vital contribution to understanding these conditions.
Those with dementia can donate their brain tissue specifically through Australian brain banks - a vital contribution to understanding these conditions.
Donating to science is a deeply personal choice for you and your family. We hope this overview helps you make the decision that's right for you. Please reach out if Funera Sydney can guide you through any part of planning a respectful farewell.