I am going on 87 years of age and recently filled out the paperwork leaving my body to science. This is acceptable to my children, but some outside the family think it was a bad idea on my part, as likely my body will be mutilated by unfeeling medical students whose only interests are furthering their career in medicine. But why should I care? My remains will eventually be cremated and returned to the family, and I will have in a small way contributed to science. Should I be concerned what others think about my decision, if it's acceptable to me and my children?
And you need to have all the necessary program information and contact details available for your family so they aren't burdened with details while dealing with your death.
”What?! You can’t tell me what to do with my body when I die!”
“And yet here you are, telling me.”
I am astounded at the number of people who feel entitled to bestow their opinions on others, when something is clearly none of their business.
Tell them you’re considering a second option. Remains shipped to Tibet for a sky burial.
You’ve made a generous decision. And you don’t owe anyone an explanation for your choice.
"Why a donation may be denied:
Mayo Clinic makes every effort to accept all program-registered donors. Below are some reasons why the program might deny a donation:
- The potential donor has an infectious or contagious disease (such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B or hepatitis C, or prion diseases).
- The next of kin objects to the donation of the body.
- The body is not acceptable for anatomical study (extremely emaciated or extremely obese).
- The body has been autopsied or mutilated or is decomposed.
- The donor is not in the Mayo Clinic anatomical bequest program's care within 48 hours of death.
- The donor was embalmed prior to arrival at Mayo's facility.
- Donations are not needed at the time."
You need to find out if your body goes back to the family and they (or someone) still has to pay for final cremation/burial.
At the end of the year when they've finished their work, there is usually a memorial service at which the students respectfully honor and say goodbye to their research "partner." The bodies are then cremated and returned to the families.
I had a friend who told me that every time she had her anatomy class she'd pass out because she couldn't deal with dead bodies, but she came to appreciate her "partner" and the sacrifice they made to further her education.
She eventually became a pediatric ER doctor, and when I asked her how on earth she could do that when dead people freaked her out (I was thinking accident victims, etc.), and she said firmly, "NO ONE dies in my ER! They die in surgery!" 😄
As for Concerned Others, thank them, for the concern they are showing for your body.
Or, if you are a cheeky sort.. tell them you have reconsidered donating - may choose something else! Like rocketing your head into space, or be cryo-mummified, or maybe be sailed out to sea by your Grandchildren & set alight - Viking style! (Like in a Billy Connolly comedy film I saw once).
Ha ha 😆
The choice of having a funeral or not. To have a "Celebration" of your life is for your friends and family. They can have a Celebration or service as they wish. Weather your body is present at the time is immaterial.
What the past few years with COVID has taught us is services, celebrations whatever you want to call them can be done at any time. Funerals and other traditions are for the living. It is a means of closure, a way that "we" can gather and share grief, joy, heartache. Sadness shared seems to lessen the burden and sharing the joy seems double it making the days ahead a bit easier.
Teach others why you feel the way you do you may change minds. Years ago the plan of cremation seemed "odd, strange, upsetting" to many but it is far more acceptable now. Time is the only thing that has changed.
Come on!
Stop discussing YOUR wishes with others and that way, you won't know what their opinions are. Ignorance is bliss in that regard!
You might share that with your naysayers.
Some folks just like to be argumentative, remember.
I think it's admirable to be thinking of the betterment of others even in death.
God bless you.