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Donating your body for Medical Education or Scientific Research
 Each year the Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University of Newfoundland will accept the donation of 6 to 12 human remains to be used primarily for teaching medical, nursing and pharmacy students enrolled at that institution. This is the only institution registered with the Department of Health in the province that is permitted to have such a program.
According to the manager of Medical School Laboratories, who administers this program for Memorial, their files contain over 800 donor cards received from individuals ranging in age from 30 years and up. By signing a donor card, these persons have given their consent for their bodies to be used for medical education or scientific research after death.
In accordance with the Newfoundland "Human Tissue Act, 1971," this consent is legally binding and must be acted upon by the next-of-kin, executor/executrix or legally authorized representative of the deceased at the time of death unless that person had reason to believe it was later withdrawn.
To ensure there is an adequate supply for their teaching needs the Medical School usually maintains about 25 bodies. This includes those held in their cold storage facility, which holds a maximum of 16 bodies, and those in use for teaching, which usually numbers about 8 or 9. The remains of 6 to 12 individuals are released each year.
Entry not guaranteed
The completion of a donor card is not a guarantee that a person's body will be accepted by the Faculty of Medicine. Occasionally, circumstances may limit the acceptance of a body. In fact, the School declines about 4 to 6 donations a year.
With the exception of space limitations, which is the primary reason, other reasons for declining a donation can be quite complex. At the time of death, the following circumstances are considered: if an autopsy is required or requested, presence of an infectious condition such as HIV, Hepatitis B or C, presence of open wounds or unhealed surgical incisions, severe obesity and any other medical condition which would make it impossible to embalm, store or use the body for teaching.
Due to the extended length of time the body is kept, the Medical School's main concern is that a body is intact. Therefore, it has declined remains with colostomies or amputations. However, there are no exact rules. Each case is reviewed individually, in most instances, when death occurs. Although not common, in some cases, where the donor's condition is palliative, a determination whether to accept the donor is made prior to death.
When death occurs
When a potential donor dies, the Faculty of Medicine must be contacted to determine if the body can be accepted. To do this the informant (i.e. next-of-kin, clergy, physician, etc.) should contact the Manager of Laboratories. Should death occur after hours or on weekends or holidays arrangements have been made to direct all calls.
There is no urgent need to transfer the body to the Medical School immediately. In most instances involving a death on a weekend or at night, the remains may be held by a hospital or resident care facility until the next working day. Should a potential donor die at home, the remains may be removed by a funeral home, who in turn will contact the Medical School on behalf of the family.
To ascertain whether the body can be accepted, the School requires the following specific information from the informant: the name and birth date of the donor, the cause of death, a copy of the donor card or other legal written consent to donate, the original death certificate signed by the attending physician, an indication an autopsy is not requested by law or requested by the family and information regarding the wishes of the donor respecting the final disposition of the remains.
Once the body has been accepted, the Faculty of Medicine will arrange for the transportation of the remains to the Medical School at their cost.
The original copy of the death certificate, the donor card or other written consent to donate and the name and address of the next-of-kin must accompany the body.
Release and final disposition
When a person donates their body to medical science, all rights to the body, including its final disposition, are assigned to the Medical School. It is then the School's responsibility to look after the funeral arrangements including all reasonable expenses once the remains is ready to be released. Alternatively, the family may claim the body for private interment at their own expense.
Remains are released from the Medical School to a funeral home approximately 24 to 36 months after the date of death. The final decision respecting selection of a funeral home along with the desired funeral services, again, rests with the School. However, the wishes of the family are taken into consideration.
The Faculty of Medicine is committed to providing a basic, dignified funeral service in accordance with the religious beliefs of the deceased. In most instances the deceased will be cremated immediately upon his or her release to the funeral home with the cremated remains placed in an urn (i.e. wooden or marble) or temporary container. The family may then wish to have a memorial service in a church or funeral home chapel or a short committal service at graveside. Scattering of the cremated remains is also an option.
If cremation is not desired, the School will contribute to the purchase of a casket or provide one which will at least meet the provincial government specifications for indigent funerals. In this case the remains would be placed in a casket for immediate burial at a cemetery chosen by the family. With the exception of the purchase of an expensive casket, the Medical School, as noted, will assume all costs associated with the funeral and cemetery services provided. If the remains are interred, they will also place a small headstone or bronze marker, suitably inscribed, on the grave of the deceased.
How to become a donor
The Medical School aims to have an equal gender balance between male and female donors. The ages of most donors range from 50 to 100 years. It has also accepted the donation of fetuses.
If you are interested in learning more about the program, you may contact the Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Office of the Manager of Laboratories, St. John's, NL, A1B 3V6. Telephone: (709) 777-8369. Fax: 777-6746 .
A donor information package will be sent to interested persons upon request. The School sends out about 80 to 100 donor packages each year, and a large percentage are completed and returned.
Potential donors are asked to complete three donor cards and a donor information form to specify their wishes for the final disposition of the remains. Two donor cards and the form should be returned to the School.
The survivors
Society owes a debt of gratitude to all those who have donated their body to medical science. However, such acts of considered generosity should not overshadow the compelling needs of those who are left to mourn the donor's death. The survivors should consider not waiting for the release of the remains from the Medical School before paying tribute to the deceased or saying good-bye.
Even without the remains present, consideration should be given to having some type of funeral service. This may include a designated time set aside at a funeral home or other suitable location for relatives and friends to pay their respects. A picture of the deceased along with other memorabilia could also be displayed to stimulate conversations and find memories. The visitation period could then be followed by a memorial service held in either a church or funeral home chapel. This service of remembrance and celebration will certainly provide comfort to those who mourn the loss and begin the healing process.
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