Did you know that 95% of Americans favor human organ and tissue donation, but only half are registered donors? Additionally, the latest estimates are that only about 20,000 people each year choose whole-body donation with cremation as an end-of-life option for themselves or their loved ones. Many people need help understanding whole-body donation and miss out on the associated benefits. That’s why it’s crucial to learn how to donate a body to science.
Options for Donating a Body to Science
There are two primary ways to donate a body to science.
- The first is organ and tissue donation, that is, donating specific organs and tissue needed for immediate transplant to someone sick or dying.
- The other way is through a whole-body donation to science; that is, the body is used for scientific research, followed by cremation, and then the remains are returned to you or your family. The entire process can take approximately four to six weeks.
All donations to science are benevolent acts, but their impact is different. Organ donation saves one life. Tissue and eye donation heals one life. Whole Body Donation heals and saves countless lives over many years.
How Do You Donate Your Body to Science
Now that you know your options, you may ask, “How do you donate your body to science?”
Organ donation is simple. In most US states, you can register to donate through The National Registry as an organ donor or through your State’s Department of Motor Vehicles. Be aware that registering as an organ donor and having that indicated on your driver license is not consent for whole-body donation to science.
Whole-body donation to science is slightly more complex, partly because no federal agency or a national registry connects donors with research programs and medical schools. In addition, the oversite for the process varies from state to state. Suppose you choose to donate your body on your own. In that case, you may need to contact a state anatomical board or the organization you want your gift to benefit to see if you qualify for their body donation program.
In most cases, you can donate organs and be a whole-body donor, but you must register separately for each.
The good news is that United Tissue Network has made the process easy. We will help you navigate the entire process. Not only will we help you understand how to donate a body to science, but you can register on this site as a part of your end-of-life planning when you or a loved one becomes sick or is dying or when you or a family member passes away.
Benefits of Donating Your Body to Science
Donating your body to science is a great way to leave a legacy. Scientific breakthroughs and medical innovations can best be accomplished using human tissue. Whole-body donation is at the heart of helping health and medical science students comprehend the human body and perfect surgical and other medical competencies. Also, learning to use deceased human bodies helps teaches medical students how to work as a team and traverse the emotional challenges they will face practicing health care and medicine.
Whole-body donation is an uncomplicated and inexpensive way to leave a legacy. Whole-body donation with cremation is the lowest-cost end-of-life option—traditional funeral costs in the United States in 2023 range on average from $6,684 to $14,975. Whole-body donation with cremation is free in Arizona and Florida. So, for families not only dealing with the loss of a loved one but also concerned with the expense, whole body donation with cremation is the best choice.
Donate Your Body to Science: Here’s How
United Tissue Network’s staff are standing by, ready to answer your questions, including “How do you donate your body to science” 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
These caring, experienced, and locally based Donor Services Coordinators practice the tenets of the caring UTN Way, so you can trust that they will help you navigate a challenging time honestly and with the needs of you and your family first.
UTN is the only true non-profit (501C3) organization to make this whole body donation to science work. It has created the country’s only whole-body gift online registration process to make it even easier. Register for whole body donation in Florida and Arizona.
Get Started Donating Your Body to Science
For more information about free whole-body donation with cremation services, begin the easy online, self-directed registration process now, or call us toll-free at 1-877-738-6111.