One of the people who responded to Claire Rayner's dilemma (see last post) suggested that since Claire had been a nurse she was surprised she hadn't considered donating her body to science, avoiding the need for a conventional funeral.
Now, why didn't I think of that? I've got the forms to donate my body to a teaching hospital near here - must get around to filling them in.
There's a shortage of cadavers, so medical students are not being given the opportunity to dissect real bodies, which isn't good.
After dissection, the bodies aren't simply discarded - they're cremated, with a committal ceremony attended by medical staff. A friend who died last year donated her body to science. Her family received a lovely thank you letter from the medical school, and a copy of the committal service address.
To donate your body, see the link on the right.
8 comments:
I don't know whether this is true in the UK as well, but I've been told that the number of female cadavers available to students is a lot lower than the number of male ones, apparently (I'm in Perth, Western Australia). So you'd really be doing a service, I guess. I like the idea of donating my body to science, too.
(Oh and hello, I found your blog via Flickr! :) )
Hi CW,
I wonder why fewer women donate their bodies? Is it because women don't like the idea of strangers seeing them naked, even when they're dead? I looked for a link to a Flickr photostream but couldn't find one - do you have one? Will read your blog again. Thanks for your comment, Margaret
Came here via BCUK - I really like the idea of donating my body to science. Ta, Margaret.
Hi Margaret, no idea why, it's a bit strange isn't it? I mean, if you're dead you're not going to know who's looking at your wobbly bits ;)
My Flickr photos are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cwiebrands/
:)
You're welcome Terri.
CW, have made you a Flickr contact. You've got an amazing number of books and pens!
Tutleymutley and I are members of Book Crossing (though I've hardly started yet). Has it reached Australia yet? When my son was in Australia and New Zealand not long ago, believe he released a few books after he'd read them, without the benefit of Book Crossing.
http://www.bookcrossing.com/
Just wanted to let you know (having come here from your BCUK post) that the second link is now here instead.
Thanks Margaret, have made you a contact also! I love the view from your office window. My view can't compare (I have no pictures because it's so boring - walls and weeds).
I know of Book Crossing but I am a bit pathetic and can't bear to "throw" books away. Although I love lending and recommending them...
Thanks Rillaith - have changed the link.
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