Body Donation is a Beneficial Option to Consider, so Let's Look at What the Process Consists of

Schrader-Howell Funeral Home • April 10, 2023

Schrader-Howell Funeral Home wants to help you understand all your options, so today, we will discuss what a body donation is and the details of the process.

cremation services in Plymouth, MI

Most individuals will choose traditional options like burial or cremation services in Plymouth, MI; however, some may opt for whole-body donation. This process is considered an alternative option, and there are several reasons why individuals may choose this option because it does offer some benefits, so let's look at the process in the article below.


What is Whole Body Donation?


On average, around 20,000 people a year will donate their bodies after they pass away to medical facilities to be used for research projects, surgical practices, and anatomy lessons. After the research is completed, the facilities provide cremation services, and the individual is returned to the family after the process is finalized.


There are several ways the body is used through multiple types of research, including:


  • Shoulder replacement
  • Neurological issues
  • Diabetes
  • Training for paramedics
  • Criminal and forensics training


What are the Benefits?


The whole-body donation also offers multiple benefits, including:


  • Helping to advance medical procedures.
  • They offer real human anatomy for advanced training with surgery.
  • Helping to improve individual lives through education, training, and medical research.
  • The company is taking the body will pay for Cremation Services, which can help save the family money.


Commonly Asked Questions



Whether you or someone you know is considering becoming a donor, here are some of the most commonly asked questions about the process.


What happens to the person's body after it's been donated?


After an individual passes away, transportation arrangements will be made by the family members if not otherwise completed. On average, it takes around three months for the embalming process before the body is preserved enough to be utilized in a lab, and the research can take anywhere from two weeks and up to three years.


Does the body have to be preregistered to be donated?


One of the first steps for those interested in signing up is to tell your family or loved ones about the decision so they understand your wishes. And you also want to research the criteria to be accepted; the most common reasons an individual may not be accepted are:


  • The next of kin objects.
  • The body is not an acceptable option for anatomical studies.
  • The body is too decomposed or has been autopsied.
  • The agency is not accepting donations when it's offered.


Is body donation the same thing as organ donation?


Whole body and organ donation are not the same things, and they have different programs that will need to be applied for. Some programs will work with donor organizations and accept whole-body donations, so it depends on individual preferences and the need of the facilities.


Trusted and Exceptional Services


These are just a few critical pieces of information about whole body donation to help give you a better understanding of the process. Or, if you have just experienced a loss and are looking for traditional cremation services in Plymouth, MI, our team is here to support you. We offer exceptional services and take great pride in helping our clients create thoughtful and memorable services for their loved ones, so call us today to get started.


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