Whether you are considering becoming an organ donor or donating your body to science, this guide will provide you with the facts, pros and cons, and information you need to make your decision.

Deciding to donate your organs or body is highly personal. The decision-making can reveal complex emotions and even create conflicts with family members. It’s important to think it through clearly and make your wishes known to avoid problems after you pass away.

Is Body Donation the Same as Organ Donation?

While both body donation and organ donation involve giving part or all of your body after death, they are distinct processes with different purposes and procedures.

Organ donation typically involves the removal of specific organs or tissues from someone who has recently passed away for immediate transplantation into a living recipient. This process can save or dramatically improve the lives of people experiencing organ failure or other serious medical conditions.

Body donation, on the other hand, involves donating the entire body to medical science after death. The body is used for various purposes, including medical education, scientific research, and the development of new surgical techniques. Unlike organ donation, body donation does not directly save a specific person’s life but contributes to the advancement of medical knowledge and training, potentially benefiting countless future patients.

Understanding the difference between being an organ donor vs. donating your body to science is important when deciding which option aligns best with your wishes.

The Facts About Organ Donation

Organ donation is a life-saving process that has become increasingly common and successful over the past few decades. Here are some key facts about organ donation:

• A single organ donor can save up to eight lives and enhance the lives of up to 75 people through tissue donation.
• The most commonly transplanted organs are the kidneys, liver, heart, lungs, pancreas, and intestines, according to Intrepid USA.
• Tissues that can be donated include corneas, skin, heart valves, bones, veins, cartilage, and tendons.
• There is a significant shortage of organ donors in the U.S. There are more than 100,000 patients currently on waiting lists.
• The allocation of organs is based on medical criteria such as blood type, body size, urgency of need, and time spent on the waiting list.
• In 2023, more than 46,000 lifesaving transplants took place, according to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network of the US Department of Health and Human Services.
• In most cases, open-casket funerals are still possible after organ donation, as the incisions are carefully closed.

Pros and Cons of Organ Donation

The chart below outlines some of the benefits of organ donation and some concerns that families may have.

PROS	CONS
Saves multiple lives	Can create conflicts within families
Improves organ recipients’ quality of life	May have religious or cultural barriers
Provides comfort for families of donors	Potential distress for family members
Reduces healthcare costs for society	Delays in funeral arrangements
Promotes altruism	Risk of organs being unsuitable for transplants
Creates a living legacy	Concerns about the fairness of organ allocation
Often comes at no cost to donors	Exploitation or sale of organs

Organ donation is widely known. In fact, there are already more than 170 million people registered to be donors. 

The Facts About Donating Your Body to Science

Comparatively, donating your body to science is far less common but needed just as urgently. A Qualtrics survey published in Anatomical Sciences Education revealed that body donation programs only receive about 26,000 donations each year. While 70% of programs receive enough donations to fit their need, many others do not.

Whole body donations play a crucial role in advancing medical research and training future healthcare professionals. Here are some of the key facts you should know about body donation:

• Bodies donated to science are typically used for medical education, scientific research, and the development of new surgical techniques.
• The process of body donation is coordinated by various agencies, including nonprofit organizations like United Tissue Network (UTN) in Nevada, Arizona, and Florida.
• Unlike organ donation, body donation typically requires pre-registration and consent from the donor before death.
• Bodies may be used for several months to a few years, depending on the research or educational needs.
• After the body has been used for research or education, it is cremated, and the remains may be returned to the family if requested.
• Body donation can relieve the financial burden for families. For example, UTN pays for transportation and cremation costs.
• Body donation can significantly reduce the cost of medical education and advance important areas of research that cannot be conducted through other means.

Pros and Cons of Body Donations

The chart below looks at the many benefits of body donations and some of the disadvantages of donating your body to science.

PROS	CONS
Advances medical science and education	No viewing ceremony takes place
Reduces costs for testing and research	Can create emotional distress for families
Helps develop new treatments and therapies	May create religious or cultural conflicts
Provides training for healthcare professionals	Delay in receiving cremated remains
Creates a meaningful legacy for families	Bodies may be declined due to certain conditions
Improves quality of life for generations to come	Credibility of donor organization
Can reduce the financial burden of end-of-life	Limited control over how bodies are used

Most funeral homes will require embalming before allowing a public viewing to preserve the body. However, most organizations will not accept bodies for medical or educational research if they have been embalmed.

Best Place to Donate Your Body to Science

When considering whole body donation, it’s important to select an organization that aligns with your values and ensures the ethical handling of donated bodies. One highly regarded option is United Tissue Network (UTN).

United Tissue Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing donated human tissue for medical research, education, and training. The organization is accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) and adheres to strict ethical guidelines.

Key features of United Tissue Network include:

• Comprehensive screening to ensure the ethical and appropriate use of donated bodies
• Transparent communication with donors and their families
• Wide network of medical institutions and researchers benefiting from donations
• Commitment to advancing medical science and education
• Option for families to receive cremated remains after the donation process is complete
• Pays 100% of the costs for transportation, storage, and cremation

Rules for Donating Your Body to Science

Specific requirements vary by organization, but there is a general set of rules that apply. For example, donors must be adults 18 years or older—although many programs do not have an upper age limit.

You will also need to provide written consent, and bodies must be available shortly after death (typically less than 48 hours). While programs like UTN will cover the costs of cremation and placement with a reputable research or educational facility, not all programs do.

You also need to check on any geographic limitations. For example, UTN coordinates whole body donations in Florida, Arizona, and Nevada.

What Disqualifies You from Donating Your Body to Science?

There are some restrictions on body donations. The most common reason that bodies are disqualified is because the donors have an infectious disease. To protect scientists and researchers, those with HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, tuberculosis, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, or other infectious diseases are not accepted into body donation programs.

If too much time has passed between death and when the body is received, it may be declined.

When you register to become a body donor, you will be asked to fill out a questionnaire that will help evaluate specifics. Upon passing, tests may be performed to keep researchers safe.

When comparing organ donations vs donating body to science, there are some key differences. Nearly 98% of bodies donated through organizations like United Tissue Network are accepted. However, just three out of 1,000 deaths occur in a way that allows for organs to be transplanted. Illnesses can make organs unacceptable for transplants, while bodies suffering from various diseases are still valuable for researchers and medical scientists to study.

Can I Donate My Body to Science While Alive?

Some organs can be transplanted while the donor is still alive, such as a kidney, lung, or parts of the liver. That is not the case with body donation where research will not begin until the donor has passed away.

You can, however, pledge yourself or register a loved one to become a body donor at any time, including near the end of life.

There are other ways you can contribute to medical research or help others while you are alive, including:

• Clinical trials: Participating in medical research studies testing new treatments, drugs, or medical devices.
• DNA or genetic studies: Contributing your genetic information to studies on hereditary diseases and human genetics.
• Brain studies: Taking part in neuroscience research through brain scans or cognitive tests.
• Blood or plasma donation: Donating to the blood supply needed for medical treatments and research.
• Other types of donations: Donating tissues like bone marrow or blood stem cells.

Giving the Gift of Life and Advancing Medical Science

Whether you decide to become an organ donor, whole body donor, or both, you are making a selfless gift that can impact generations to come. Many families find comfort and a sense of purpose, knowing that others will benefit from their loved one’s passing.

It is a good idea to discuss your wishes with your family. “The most important part of this decision-making process is talking to your family and friends regarding your wishes. One day, they may need to speak on your behalf,” said Tina Stoebe MS, NPD-BC, CPAN, and Clinical Instructor for nursing professional development at Mather Hospital.

Frequently Asked Questions — FAQs

Can I be an organ donor and still donate my body to science?

It is possible to register as an organ donor and donate your body to science. Accredited organizations such as UTN will work with medical professionals to prioritize life-saving transplants and wait to transport the deceased. In some cases, it may not be possible.

How long does a medical research or educational facility keep a donated body?

The length of time varies depending on the research or educational needs. It can range from a few months to several years. After research is complete, it is typically cremated.

Will my family have to pay for body donation?

While United Tissue Network covers all costs associated with the donation, including transportation and cremation, not all organizations do. So, it’s important to confirm this with the program you choose.

Can I specify how I want my donated body to be used?

While you can express preferences, most donation programs cannot guarantee that your body will be used for a particular purpose. Bodies are allocated based on current research and educational needs at the time of donation.

How can I become an organ donor or body donor?

You can become an organ donor at your local driver’s license facility or when getting or renewing your license. You can also register online through the Health Resources and Services Administration. You can pledge yourself to become a whole body donor or register a loved one to become a whole body donor with United Tissue Network in Nevada, Arizona, or Florida.

You can sign up loved ones ahead of time or make arrangements immediately upon their passing.

If you would like more information about whole body donations or have questions, call the Donor Specialists at United Tissue Network at 877-738-6111.