So how’s it done? I’m interested in leaving my body to science since it’s much more productive than just mouldering in the ground. I’ve got the idea to donate it to a university, but would that work? I’ve been on a couple of websites and the closest thing I can find is human subject studies except those are for living subjects, not dead.
And as an aside, is it true some research groups will pay for your body? That interests me as well. I’m willing to be fully philanthropetic(?) but I’m not gonna pretend to have a heart of gold.
P.S.: If that’s not a word up there I’m making it one and I refuse to listen to reason.
In California, you can sign up to be an organ/body donor when you get your driver’s license, or online at DonateLifeCalifornia. Perhaps other states have similar setups?
[QUOTE=The Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois]
Either download the AGA Donation Form or contact the AGA for a copy of the form.
a. Complete the form
b. Have two non-family member witnesses sign the form or have it notarized
c. Make a copy for your records
d. Mail the original to the Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois (AGA) at the address on the form.
Review the educational materials.
Share the decision to donate with family, loved ones, next of kin and/or estate executor.
Carry the donor card.
Given the need for the body to be attained by the AGA as soon as possible, a funeral service in which the body is present is not possible. Upon death, the next of kin or the estate executor should notify the AGA and make arrangements to deliver the unembalmed remains of the deceased to the Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois, 1540 S. Ashland Ave., Suite 104, Chicago, Ill., 60608.
Transportation of the donor’s remains to the AGA is the responsibility of the donor’s family or executor. In addition to the body, the AGA requires a completed and signed death certificate, cremation authorization and disposition of remains form.
The AGA recommends that a donor make transportation arrangements in advance with a funeral home. Funeral Director charges can vary greatly depending on location of remains, distance, etc. We recommend that you contact several Funeral homes for pricing information. For price comparisons, we can suggest that you contact:
The medical school will bill your estate for the transfer of your cadaver to their facility. Once there, any viable organs, retinas, etc. will be harvested and sold for profit. Medical students may or may not use the remains for study for a year or so, and then you’ll be cremated. If your family has made a specific request, your cremains will be returned to them at their expense.
Although my eventual donation, even as described above, still serves the general purpose of medicine, I’m still hoping to help more in research than in financing. So I’ve become more interested in donating to the nearest body farm.
