Donating my body to science

[WisteriaWoman]

I'm wondering if I should donate my body to science after my death. But I wonder if there any religious reasons why I shouldn't do this. I'm spiritual rather than a follower of one particular religion. (Would probably describe myself as a Unitarian...if I had to pigeon hole myself).
Anyone any thoughts?

Anyone should do this ( though these days there is less need as some medical schools dong do human body dissection any more).

I'm a Christian and can't see any reason why not. We'll be bodily resurrected at the end of time whether we're buried, cremated, dissected or left to rot under a tree. So yes, do some good for learning about humanity and do it (I'm not allowed to due to a medical condition. Dh hasn't decided yet but as a doctor who did dissect a body 23 years ago he's considering it!)

I'm signed up with Birmingham medical school. Basically if I die and any of my organs are of use they can have them. But I have a few medical conditions so not sure if suitable but my anatomy is fairly standard.

There is a film, 'Donated to Science' whih is really interesting, it's probably on you tube. It was filmed over about 2 years. People with terminal illnesses were filmed talking to camera about why they had decided to donate.

Then the film shows medical students disecting the bodies. Finally the medical students are shown the films of the body they had discected and their reactions filmed.

I recomend watching it.

My parents-in-law have both done this and they are committed Christians, actively involved in their local church.

Whatever someone might consider resurrection to be, our bodily state at the end of our physical lives has little to do with it.

Thanks v much for these replies, I've found them really helpful. I only started thinking about this after having read an article on this subject in the Guardian a week ago.
Sassh I'll check out that film... not sure I want to watch the dissecting scenes though.

Think the only thing is that there's no funeral per se with a body is there if you donate?
Your body will go to help further science.
I'm going to find out how to do this and actually do it I think.

I'm a bit spiritual I suppose but when I'm dead I need not get burned or buried. What a waste of a marvellous body ..

Sassh I'll check out that film... not sure I want to watch the dissecting scenes though.

The bodies have been preserved so no blood - it really isn't gory at all, it shows much more of the students.

WowOoo
You can still have a memorial service. I don't know about the UK but in the US the medical schools do an anual service for relatives of donors. Or you can ask for the body to be returned to your family once it has been discected - but it can be a couple of years.

What do people do if a loved one dies but there is no body? Maybe they drowned at sea, or were at the WTC but no remains identified.