New England has some of the oldest populations in the United States, with states like Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire leading the nation in median age. There is a growing aging crisis in the region, with Rhode Island, Maine, and Vermont now having more residents over 65 than children under 18. With more than a quarter of residents in several New England states now over the age of 60, this demographic shift is creating an urgent focus on eldercare and research into aging.
Donating your body to science helps researchers study disease progression and improve the quality of life for our senior citizens, but that’s just one example of the many ways a donated body makes a real difference in the lives of others.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to donate your body to science, how anatomical gifts are utilized by medical professionals, and the benefits families receive from anatomical donations, including free cremation.
What Is Whole Body Donation?
Whole body donation is a voluntary act where you provide your body after death for medical education, research, and training. It’s different from organ donation. Organ donation allows doctors to do transplants with the potential to save lives. It’s theoretically possible to use different organs in up to eight living patients. However, a donated body used in medical training and education can impact thousands of patients. Research breakthroughs could improve care for millions of people in the future. An anatomical gift helps future generations live a better life.
Why Whole Body Donation Matters
Despite advancements in medical science and the use of technology like 3D models and virtual simulations, there is no real substitute for human bodies in medicine. Anatomy is complex, and there are variations in every person. Different medical conditions affect bodies in various ways, and how all of your organs and tissue interact over a lifetime means every medical condition is slightly different.
Whole body donation remains the most effective way for medical students to study the complex anatomy of the human body. Donated bodies continue to provide the foundation for both hands-on training and the development of advanced educational models.
New England has some of the world’s largest and most advanced medical institutions and research facilities, including:
| Massachusetts | Harvard Medical School UMass Chan Medical School Tufts University School of Medicine Boston University (Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine) |
| Connecticut | Yale School of MedicineUConn HealthQuinnipiac University (Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine) |
| New Hampshire | Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine |
| Vermont | University of Vermont (Larner College of Medicine) |
| Rhode Island | Brown University (Warren Alpert Medical School) |
| Maine | University of New England (College of Osteopathic Medicine) |
How Donated Bodies Advance Medical Science
If you’re looking for information on “how to donate your body to science,” you may be wondering what happens to donated bodies after death. So, let’s explore some of the many ways. Your body donation can play a meaningful part in advancing medical science.
Anatomy Education for Medical and Healthcare Students
Medical students rely on donated bodies to study human anatomy in three dimensions. This hands-on learning helps them understand spatial relationships between organs, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels, as well as the natural variation that exists from one individual to another.
“Our donors, your loved ones, are the ultimate servants to their community. These students of medicine will go on to become practicing physicians in part because of the priceless gift our donors have given.”
— University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School Faculty Member
Surgical Training and Practice
Surgeons utilize donated bodies to learn and train on lifesaving techniques before performing them on living patients. This includes training in orthopedic surgery, cardiovascular procedures, neurosurgery, and minimally invasive techniques.
Practicing on real human anatomy helps clinicians develop the precision, confidence, and muscle memory that will guide them in surgery and produce better outcomes.
Geriatric Medicine and Age-related Care
Donated bodies are especially important for training doctors who treat older adults. It’s challenging to adequately represent age-related changes in bone density, joint structure, cardiovascular systems, and neurological function in models. An anatomical donation allows healthcare professionals to study these changes directly.
This is especially important throughout New England. Rhode Island, for example, has the highest rate of geriatric doctors in the U.S. Donating your body to science can help train the next generation of doctors who treat age-related conditions.
Disease Research and Treatments
Researchers study donated bodies to better understand how diseases affect the human body over time. This includes examining the progression of chronic conditions, structural changes caused by disease, and the effectiveness of emerging treatments. These insights contribute to improved diagnostics and therapies.
“When the time comes, I feel that my donation can help doctors extend their knowledge. Perhaps they will find new treatments to help people live better lives.“
Family of Thomas Dombrowski, 2025 whole-body donor
Your donated body may be the key to unlocking an innovative treatment or even a cure.
“Research breakthroughs in Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and more have been made possible because individuals chose to donate.
– The Physician Committee for Responsible Medicine
Medical Device Testing and Development
Manufacturers and researchers use donated bodies to test and refine medical devices, surgical tools, and implants. Testing is critical to make sure devices work safely and effectively with human anatomy before being used in general practice.
Development of Advanced Models
Even 3D models and simulations typically begin with data derived from real human anatomy. Donated bodies are used to validate and improve these models, ensuring they accurately represent human tissues and structures.
How Whole Body Donation Works in New England
The first step is advance registration, where you document your intent to donate, ensuring your wishes are clearly stated and available when needed. You don’t have to register in advance, but it simplifies the entire process at the time of passing. You can change your mind later if you decide you no longer wish to donate your body to science.
At the time of a donor’s death, United Tissue Network coordinates transportation and care of the body, so the family is not required to manage the logistics on their own. After medical education or research use is complete, cremation is provided at no cost.
While the medical education or research phase can last a few weeks or even a few years, the family can request that the remains be returned after cremation. UTN does this at no cost. If the family does not ask for the remains, they are disposed of ethically according to state statutes.
The entire process is governed by both state regulations and the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act. The Anatomical Gift Act makes it illegal to buy or sell body parts and provides governance requirements for any program that participates in body donations.
Cremation in New England: What Families Should Know
Cremation has become the preferred choice for end of life. In several New England states, more than 60% of families choose cremation rather than a traditional burial. In Maine and New Hampshire for example, the cremation rate now exceeds 80%.
If you are wondering, “How do you donate your body to science?”, you may also be comparing it to other cremation options. Typically, you have three options:
- Direct cremation
- Cremation with a memorial
- Traditional funeral with cremation instead of burial
How Much Does Cremation Cost in New England?
The answer to this question depends on the type of cremation you choose, the provider you use, and the services you select. So, the average cost of a cremation in New England ranges from about $2,000 to $6,000 or higher.
| Option | Typical Cost in RI | What It Involves | Family Responsibility | Long-Term Impact |
| Direct Cremation | $2,000–$4,000 | Basic cremation with limited services | Moderate decision-making | Personal memorialization |
| Cremation With MEMORIAL | $4,000–$6,000 | Cremation plus viewing or memorial services | Extensive planning | Personal memorialization |
| TRADITIONAL FUNERAL AND CREMATION | $6,000+ | Funeral service, embalming, viewing, and cremation | Extensive planning | Personal memorialization |
| Traditional FUNERAL WITH BURIAL | $12,000+ | Funeral service, burial, and cemetery costs | Extensive planning | Personal memorialization |
| Whole Body Donation | No cost | Donation for medical education and research, followed by cremation | Minimal coordination | Supports medical training and research |
Even the most affordable option, direct cremation, can cost more than $2,000, with states like Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island being the most expensive in the region.
| AVERAGE CREMATION COSTS BY STATE—NEW ENGLAND | ||
| STATE | DIRECT CREMATION | TRADITIONAL FUNERAL AND CREMATION |
| Connecticut | $3,108 | $6,139 |
| Maine | $2,372 | $6,265 |
| Massachusetts | $2,720 | $7,109 |
| New Hampshire | $2,190 | $6,409 |
| Rhode Island | $2,619 | $5,243 |
| Vermont | $2,297 | $5,918 |
SOURCE: World Population Review
While some families prefer the simplicity of a direct cremation or the traditions and ceremony of a funeral, these provide momentary ways to honor your loved ones. Whole-body donation creates a lasting legacy. Families often find great comfort in knowing that their loved ones can continue a lifetime of service and help future generations long after they pass on.
Obviously, cost is not the only concern when you are planning end-of-life arrangements, but it can play a role in the type of funeral services you select or whether you explore how to donate your body to science.
Memorialization After Body Donation
One question that may come up when you are researching how do I donate my body to science is about memorial services. There’s a common misconception that donating your body to science prevents you from holding a memorial. That’s simply not true. In fact, many families choose to hold a memorial service or celebration of life shortly after a loved one dies. Some also hold a second, more intimate ceremony to scatter the cremated remains later on.
You can also customize how you memorialize your loved one, whether that includes a religious ceremony, a celebration of life, or some other type of service.
Families often appreciate the flexibility this provides because you don’t have to schedule a ceremony immediately, giving family members and loved ones an opportunity to plan travel without time pressure. Many families also feel that creating a lasting legacy of service is more meaningful than a one-time remembrance.
Is Whole Body Donation Right for You or Your Family?
Choosing an end-of-life option is a deeply personal decision. Some individuals value traditional services and ceremonies, while others are drawn to the idea of supporting medical education and research.
Whole body donation offers you a way to reduce your financial burden, simplify arrangements, and make a lasting impact on healthcare. For New England residents, asking how to donate your body to science is a noble quest, leading to an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
FAQs—Frequently Asked Questions About Whole Body Donation
How do I donate my body to science in New England?
You can register with United Tissue Network, a nonprofit organization that arranges for body donations for medical science, education, research, and surgical training.
What is the difference between whole body donation and organ donation?
Organ donation focuses on transplanting specific organs to save lives, while whole body donation allows the entire body to be used for medical education, training, and research. You can be both an organ donor and whole-body donor, but you must register separately for each.
Does whole body donation include cremation in Rhode Island?
Yes. When United Tissue Networks accepts a donated body, it provides free cremation as part of the body donation program.
Is whole body donation regulated and handled ethically?
Whole body donation is governed by consent requirements, ethical standards, and professional oversight. At United Tissue Network, donors and their families are treated with dignity and respect throughout the process.
How do you donate your body to science? Start your registration with United Tissue Network today. You can make a difference in the lives of future generations and help advance medical science.
