If you’ve registered as an organ donor (and about 170 million Americans have), you likely know what’s going to happen when the time comes. If donors pass away in an ICU while on a ventilator to prevent organ failure, surgeons will remove organs to, hopefully, be used in life-saving transplants.
You may not even be aware of the options for donating a body to science after death. Even if you are, you probably aren’t as sure about what happens when you donate your body to science. This article will explain the process from registration to final resting.
Registering as a Body Donor
While you can make arrangements to become a whole-body donor at the time of death, you should really pre-register ahead of time. You can start the registration process by filling out a brief online form at United Tissue Network (UTN) and providing basic medical and social history.
Registering ahead of time simplifies the process when the time comes and helps reduce uncertainty for your loved one.
Donors must be adults age 18 or older, but there is no upper age limit.
Notification at the Time of Passing
When a donor passes away, a family member, caregiver, or medical professional will contact UTN as soon as possible, so that arrangements can be made to preserve the body properly. Once contacted, UTN coordinates professional transportation. In most areas, this can be done within 90 minutes of notification. All costs associated with transportation are covered by United Tissue Network.
Final Eligibility Review
Although registration is completed in advance, a final medical review takes place at the time of passing. This review helps confirm that the donor meets the requirements for medical research and educational use and determine the best use. Most medical conditions are fine, except for infectious diseases that might pose a health risk to medical professionals.
Transportation of the Donor
Once the eligibility review has been completed, United Tissue Network arranges for the placement of the donor body with a reputable medical research or educational facility. The process is handled securely and respectfully across UTN’s network of vetted institutions.
Medical Education, Training, and Research
Donating a body to science after death plays an important role in advancing medical science.
Medical Education
Medical students learning anatomy gain hands-on experience with the human body in a way that textbooks or simulations can’t provide. Despite advancements in technology, more than 80% of medical students believe working with donated human bodies provides the preparation they need before entering clinical rotations and caring for patients.
Surgical Training
Body donation also helps in surgical training, practicing procedures, learning new techniques, and testing new surgical equipment. This type of training allows medical professionals to gain experience in a realistic environment before performing procedures on living patients.
Medical Research
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs over the years by studying donated bodies, understanding how diseases progress, and how effective treatment options are. In fact, many advances in healthcare are only possible because researchers have access to anatomical donations.
What Happens After Research Is Complete?
After educational and research activities have concluded, cremation is performed. Through United Tissue Network, cremation costs are covered for accepted donors as part of the donation process. UTN coordinates the cremation process at a licensed facility, and donor families get free cremation as part of the process.
Return of Cremated Remains
Families who wish to receive cremated remains may request them in advance. If cremated remains are not requested, they are disposed of in an ethical manner.
Respect and Dignity Throughout the Process
UTN recognizes that every whole-body donor and their families are making a meaningful gift.
Donors are treated with professionalism, dignity, and respect throughout the entire process. Strict procedures and ethical standards help ensure that anatomical donations are handled appropriately and used only for approved educational and research purposes.
United Tissue Network is an accredited nonprofit whole-body donation organization that has helped more than 20,000 donors and family members since 2009 support medical education, training, and research through body donation.
It helps to know what happens when you donate your body to science when you’re making the decision to become a donor. If you have questions, you can contact one of our Donor Coordinators 24/7.
Start your registration today, create a lasting legacy for your family and qualify for free cremation.
