Donating your body to science

Why go to all the trouble of a funeral and burial, when you can do something very useful and valuable with your body? Donate it to medical science, so that it can be used to the benefit of the living.

The process is overseen in the UK by the Human Tissue Authority, whose website explains how to apply and register, and the formalities involved.

The medical establishment usually undertakes to cremate the remains when it has finished with the body, but they can be returned to the family for burial if requested.

Usually a memorial service close to the time of death will take the place of a funeral.