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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for your help disposing of a skeleton?

235 replies

Madders45 · 08/01/2019 18:53

I have a skeleton that I acquired when I was studying medicine in the early 80s. Back then it was compulsory to have one.

It’s not a whole skeleton - it’s the skull, spine, pelvic bone + one side of the body. So only one arm and one leg.

It’s now been in my attic for decades, as I’ve never known what to do with it really.

Dh and I have recently retired and are emigrating - I obviously have to dispose of it somehow.

I tried to persuade my daughter to put it in her loft, but she thinks it’s too ‘creepy’.

So I’ve tried googling how to dispose of it - one website said that under the new Health Tissue Act the best thing to do is to offer it to a licensed medical school. I’ve emailed my alma mater and a few other local unis, but they’ve either not replied or declined it.

Does anyone have any ideas?

OP posts:
MammaSchwifty · 08/01/2019 19:06

Offer it to a museum?

ParisNext · 08/01/2019 19:06

I believe that the crematorium will take it. There was an AMA (Ask me Anything) with a Crem Tech in here recently and if you go to the AMA thread you’ll find it- why not ask them? I’m sure though that that would be a route for you.

Original poster
Madders45 · 08/01/2019 19:07

How old is the skeleton? Not the person's age, the actual skeleton? And do you have any paperwork? The HTA website can be a little opaque...

I got it in 1980, but I don’t know how how much time passed between the death of the person and me acquiring it.

I have no paperwork unfortunately - 18 year old me didn’t really worry about those things! I can’t even find the name of the company I got the skeleton from.

OP posts:
DeadButDelicious · 08/01/2019 19:07

I have no helpful suggestions but I just wanted to say I am insanely jealous. I would LOVE a skeleton to display in my house.

Bluelonerose · 08/01/2019 19:09

Leave it up the loft for the next people to find Grin

Original poster
Madders45 · 08/01/2019 19:10

Thank you for all the ideas!

I’ll contact a few more universities, and forensic anthropology departments in particular.

Failing that I’ll probably have to go down the crematorium route.

OP posts:
Kethy · 08/01/2019 19:11

It seems that there’s now very strict legislation in place concerning the handling of human remains.
Due to Alder Hey no doubt. I would have hoped someone in lawful possession of human remains would know what to do with them. I find it a bit concerning that you don't. How about taking them to your local police station? At least you can be questioned about it sooner rather than later

Kethy · 08/01/2019 19:13

Failing that I’ll probably have to go down the crematorium route.
You'll need paperwork to go down the crematorium route. They won't touch it with a bargepole

Original poster
Madders45 · 08/01/2019 19:17

I would have hoped someone in lawful possession of human remains would know what to do with them. I find it a bit concerning that you don't.

To be honest, I expect there are a lot of medics in my position - we were just handed them at the age of 18/19 with no explanation of how to dispose of them, and besides, the laws have changed a lot since then, so anything we had been told wouldn’t still apply today.

I’ve lived in the same house for 20 years - it’s been in my attic the whole time and I haven’t given it any thought in years.

OP posts:
Poing · 08/01/2019 19:18

I can understand it would be disappointing to not have someone take the skeleton, given that it was a useful and necessary part of your studies.

As far as I understand, selling a skeleton is not legal everywhere (at least not in Australia), and as you have found, donation is also difficult.

With regards to disposal and related issues, you could consult your local funeral home for advice with regards to legal issues and burial/cremation.

AllTakenSoRubbishUsername · 08/01/2019 19:19

Put it under the floorboards then tell the new people that you used to be able to hear knocking but it stopped...

knackeredmumoftwo · 08/01/2019 19:19

Talk directly to the HTA - they can advise, j know of a few people in your situation and they have offered specific advice as needed.
Good luck

EmeraldShamrock · 08/01/2019 19:21

I saw a human skull case on Judge Rinder, it was sold for a few 100 from an antics dealer, there was some legalitys but it can be sold.
Contact a goth type antics dealer.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 08/01/2019 19:22

The HTA will advise. I know someone who surrendered hers to them, but no idea what they did with it. She couldn't sell it, nowhere particularly wanted it donated and she didn't have the paperwork to have it buried or cremated.

Before her, I had no idea this was a thing. It still makes me feel a bit odd. I'm glad it's not commonplace anymore.

Bluetrews25 · 08/01/2019 19:24

My medical student (at the time) DSis also had a half - kept it under my bed for a while as I needed it after she'd done with it - it also had complete spine, one arm, one leg, whole pelvis and 3 skulls! Can't help wondering what happened to all the spare arms and legs from all of the half skeletons that people had!
Not sure what happened to it in the end.
There was another thread identical to this a couple of months ago - never saw the outcome, sadly.

Kethy · 08/01/2019 19:24

The reason why it's difficult to offload is because of Alder Hey. Does the family of the person who the skeleton belonged to know that it was used for medical education? Did the person consent to it while they were alive? Are the human remains being treated with appropriate respect by being talked about on Mumsnet? Could this be considered to be on a par (albeit smaller scale) with what was discovered at Alder Hey?

Original poster
Madders45 · 08/01/2019 19:27

Does the family of the person who the skeleton belonged to know that it was used for medical education? Did the person consent to it while they were alive?

I can only hope so, but the truth is, I don’t know.

I’ve heard that a lot of them came from developing countries like India, so it does seem like a rather exploitative practice.

I’m glad - like a poster above - that medical students are no longer required to purchase a skeleton.

OP posts:
AveAtqueVale · 08/01/2019 19:28

Have you tried GKT medical school? Though I am currently ranting about them in another thread, the anatomy department is quite good. Can pm you the email of the right person to ask if any use?

Papyrus · 08/01/2019 19:29

Simplest thing would be to get in touch with your local hospital/medical school holding a human tissue licence. They will be able to put you in touch with their designated individual, who can advise.

Or get in touch with the HTA directly.

Unlikely a museum would want it, as they are would want assurance it was holder than 100 years old - extremely unlikely if you purchased it in 1980.

Notajourno · 08/01/2019 19:29

Contact your nearest Uni with an Archaeology department. They always need remains for students to study.

WinnerWinnerChickenDinner0 · 08/01/2019 19:30

I’m sure there are medical student Facebook groups. Could you offer it there. That would possibly fulfill the requirement that it is used with in medical studies

AveAtqueVale · 08/01/2019 19:30

We all got lent a half skeleton from the school to take home in first year. And I know they’re at least one down in the last few years because mine went mouldy in our understairs cupboard when the house flooded. Blush

iwonderwhen · 08/01/2019 19:30

Have tried art colleges for their life drawing and anatomy studies?

Ginkythefangedhellpigofdoom · 08/01/2019 19:30

Bloody give it to me! I'm seriously serious, il pay for postage!

iwonderwhen · 08/01/2019 19:30

Missed out the you!!