Donating to Anatomy Department
We are very grateful to those who are generous enough to donate their bodies for the purpose of medical science and education. Such donations are essential to our proper functioning as a medical and other health science schools.
Donation consent forms.
On request, two donation forms will be dispatched to the donor. Both forms should be completed by the donor.
One copy should then be returned to us. The other copy is given to some responsible person, such as a relative, doctor, minister of religion or lawyer, who will get in touch with us at the time of death. We can then take charge after any church service (if held), and ensure that the donor’s wishes are carried out.
If you move away permanently from the Munster area, please let us know.
Procedure following death:
Upon death of the donor, the body is placed in a coffin in the normal way. If a church service is held, the body is taken to the church for the service and subsequently taken to the medical school.
If no church service is held, the body is brought directly to the medical school. Normally we expect to receive the remains within 48 hours of death.
The University cannot accept any donors whose organs have been donated, or who have undergone a post-mortem, or died of diseases of high infectivity, e.g., Creuzfeld Jacob Disease (CJD), Hepatitis and HIV.
Burial or Cremation of Remains:
The body usually remains with us for a period of about two years. The burial or cremation is then arranged in accordance with the wishes of the donor.
Next of kin are consulted about the time of burial or cremation, if they have requested beforehand that they wish to attend.
College Cemetery Curraghkippane.
The University has a burial ground in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Curraghkippane, Kerry Pike, Co. Cork where many donors choose to be buried. Burial takes place in accordance to the rites of the deceased person’s faith, we arrange for the attendance of a priest or minister of the relevant faith.
The University meets all the expenses involved for the transport of remains, the stipend of the priest or minister and grave costs.
Other Cemetery
Many donors choose to be buried in a family grave or some other cemetery. In this case the next of kin are responsible for arranging for the opening of the grave and if desired for the attendance of a priest or minister.
The University will meet the expenses for transport to the cemetery in these circumstances. The relatives or estate of the deceased must cover the costs of the opening of the grave, stipend for the minister or priest, etc.
Cremation
When the donor has chosen to be cremated. We arrange for the transport of the remains to “ The Island Crematorium ” in Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork, and for the attendance of a priest or minister of the relevant faith.
The University meets expenses involved for the transport of remains, the stipend of the priest or minister and the cremation fee.
Family attending burial
If donors or relatives have any request to make with regard to the burial, cremation or any other matter, or if relatives wish to attend, we ask them to be sure to inform us in writing in order to avoid any misunderstanding.
The University requests that all relatives and friends of the deceased who wish to attend the burial or cremation, meet the remains by the graveside or crematorium. and not within the University grounds.
Expenses
If a church service is held, the relatives meet all expenses up to and including the service. Subsequent expenses incurred in transferring the remains from the church to the medical school are met by the University.
If no church service is held, the University meets the expenses incurred in transferring the body from the place of death to the medical school. The relatives or estate of the deceased must provide a coffin for transferring the remains and for subsequent burial.
Acknowledgement
Again, we would like to express our sincere gratitude towards all our donors, who donate their bodies for medical science and education.
The generosity of donors is marked by a sculpture which is located in the department. It is a commissioned abstract piece in the form of a flame. It represents the flame of knowledge which leads to the light of understanding
Further Information
