Did you know that organ donation is not your only philanthropic option after death? You also have the option to donate your entire body to a medical school. Such a gift may help medical students learn how to save lives or assist medical researchers with advancements.
Plan Ahead
So, how can you be certain that your wishes to donate your body to medicine will be honored. The only way to be sure is to plan ahead. You can speak with medical schools in your state or other states – find out the benefits of their program, how the process works, and how your family will be affected.
Many medical schools allow you to pre-arrange your donation. If you don’t want to make prior arrangements, be sure your estate planning documents clearly state your wishes.
State Your Plans
You can use a Living Will, Advanced Medical Directive, or Health Care Power of Attorney to state your intentions regarding donating your body. Your health care agent will have the ability to sign your body over to the medical institution upon your death. If you decide to donate your body, you cannot be an organ donor. Most medical institutions will only accept whole body donations.
Speak with Your Family
If you decide to donate your body to medicine, it is a good idea to speak with your loved ones about your plans. Post-death emotions may run high and some family members may not be on board with your decision. By speaking with them, you will be able to explain your reasons and ask that your wishes be honored.
Advantages
Although a medical institute cannot pay your family for the gift of your body, they often assist with burial and cremation costs. Having these final acts taken care of can be an emotional benefit to your family.
Larry Parman
Attorney at Law
Since founding Parman & Easterday in 1985, Larry has led over 1,000 free, community-service education programs and helped more than 10,000 Oklahoma families go from putting off their estate plan to getting it done. His goal for every client is the same: to become the person their family calls "the one who took care of everything."
Larry is the author of three books: The Straight Shooter's Guide to Estate Planning; Estate Planning Basics; and Guiding Those Left Behind in Oklahoma. He served as Oklahoma's Secretary of State and Secretary of Commerce, and his firm is the only member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys in the state.
- Choosing the Right Successor Trustee: Key Considerations - October 8, 2026
- Aging in Place: A Medicaid Waiver Can Fill the Gap - October 6, 2026
- Does Every Estate Go Through Probate? - September 29, 2026
