Donating a body to science

[Bowbridge]

My mum is terminally ill - cancer (lung, breast, lymph note and bone).

She has spoken about wanting to donate her body to science as she worked in the medical profession.

We, as a family, support her in this wish, but wonder if a body with so much cancer will be accepted? At the moment she still looks well as she was only diagnosed a month ago, but she is deteriorating each day and is now struggling to speak.

You need to contact your local medical school or teaching hospital - however they have strict criteria.

My DGM (still alive btw) wanted to leave her body to medical science.

They declined. She was a bit miffed.

Two of my grandparents (one of whom had cancer, the other not) had arranged to donate their bodies to science, but in the event, science didn't want either of them - if they've already got enough for what they need, you may be turned down. Made for an 'interesting' family time trying to work out what to do about funerals (both had said they didn't want them).

It feels strange having these conversations, but necessary. Plan B is a direct cremation then a family celebration of her life when we scatter her ashes.

I have seen all sorts of conditions in the cadaver lab. And after finishing learning with them all students (that want)attend the funeral. Sorry about your mum