Thinking of Donating Your Body to Science? Here's What You Need to Know
THINKING OF DONATING YOUR BODY TO SCIENCE? HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Have you ever wondered what happens when someone donates their body to science? As funeral directors in Sydney, we occasionally get asked about body donation by our clients who want to leave a lasting legacy. While a noble decision, it's not as simple as signing up and leaving the rest to your family.
Have you ever wondered what happens when someone donates their body to science? As funeral directors in Sydney, we occasionally get asked about body donation by our clients who want to leave a lasting legacy. While a noble decision, it's not as simple as signing up and leaving the rest to your family.
WHO CAN DONATE THEIR BODY TO SCIENCE?
You need to be over 18 years old, but there's no upper age limit for donation. However, some medical conditions will exclude you automatically, like infectious diseases, obesity, dementia and terminal illnesses. Recent surgery or wounds may also prevent your body from being accepted.
You need to be over 18 years old, but there's no upper age limit for donation. However, some medical conditions will exclude you automatically, like infectious diseases, obesity, dementia and terminal illnesses. Recent surgery or wounds may also prevent your body from being accepted.
WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR BODY AFTER DONATION?
Once the university has accepted your body, it will be embalmed and tested for infectious diseases. Your remains will then be used with utmost respect for anatomy training and research by students and scientists. This can involve preservation of certain tissues for future studies.
Once the university has accepted your body, it will be embalmed and tested for infectious diseases. Your remains will then be used with utmost respect for anatomy training and research by students and scientists. This can involve preservation of certain tissues for future studies.
ARE THERE ANY COSTS INVOLVED?
The good news is body donation is free in Sydney, with the university covering collection, transportation, storage, cremation and disposal costs. Your family will not have to pay funeral expenses, though some certificate fees may be passed on.
The good news is body donation is free in Sydney, with the university covering collection, transportation, storage, cremation and disposal costs. Your family will not have to pay funeral expenses, though some certificate fees may be passed on.
HOW DO YOU ARRANGE BODY DONATION IN SYDNEY?
There's no national body donation register. You'll need to contact the donation program at your chosen university or facility in Sydney directly to begin the process. After filling in consent forms and being accepted, you'll be issued a donor card to keep.
There's no national body donation register. You'll need to contact the donation program at your chosen university or facility in Sydney directly to begin the process. After filling in consent forms and being accepted, you'll be issued a donor card to keep.
A LASTING LEGACY
Donating your body to further medicine is a precious gift to leave behind. We hope this overview has provided clarity on what's involved. Discuss it thoroughly with loved ones and check details with your chosen facility in Sydney before registering as a donor. Your contribution could help save lives!
Donating your body to further medicine is a precious gift to leave behind. We hope this overview has provided clarity on what's involved. Discuss it thoroughly with loved ones and check details with your chosen facility in Sydney before registering as a donor. Your contribution could help save lives!
Funera Sydney is dedicated to guiding and supporting you with these decisions, and other funeral arrangements. For more information, feel free to reach us at www.funera.sydney/contact-us.