DONATION OF THE BODY TO SCIENCE

The study of anatomy is one of the most important aspects of medical training. Its importance cannot be underestimated, as this knowledge lays the foundation for medical research and the improvement of current treatments. Learning anatomy is fundamentally based on the study of the human cadaver. Thus, a person's decision to donate their body for anatomical teaching and research is considered a vital contribution to the understanding and advancement of general medical science. Donating one's body to science is a voluntary and altruistic act by which, upon death, the person donates their body for teaching and research in the field of human anatomy and medicine.

How is the donation process carried out?

The following requirements must be met:

  • The person must be of legal age.
  • The person must be of sound mind.
  • The donation must be made by completing the Advance Directives Document (DVA) and registering it at one of the following places:
    • At any public or private health center in Catalonia.
    • At the Citizen Service Offices (by appointment).
    • At any notary office, if this method has been chosen to formalize the document.
    • At the Department of Health.

For more information, you can visit the website:

https://canalsalut.gencat.cat/ca/salut-a-z/v/voluntats-anticipades/

Once the Advance Directives Document (DVA) is registered, you must schedule an appointment (date and time) with the Human Anatomy Department of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Lleida by emailing: medicina.saladisseccio@udl.cat or calling 973702400 // 973702290. You will need to bring a copy of the previously registered DVA and a photocopy of your ID.

Once the previous steps have been correctly completed, the personal Donor Card will be issued at the Faculty.

During the official holiday periods (Easter Week, August and Christmas holidays) only donations previously formalized at the service will be accepted. Under no circumstances will administrative procedures be carried out or interviews related to the donation process arranged.

Documents

To formalize the advance directives document, you can download the following files:

Guide on the Advance Directives Document

Catalan DVA Model

Spanish DVA Model

Reasons for Donation Rejection

What should you know about the donation process?

Donation is a personal, voluntary, and entirely altruistic act.

Neither the donor nor their family will receive any financial compensation for donating the body to science.

Donated bodies are used for teaching and research, and images may be obtained for the same teaching and research purposes, always respecting privacy by concealing identity, and they will never be used for other purposes.

The donor must inform their family and caregivers of their decision to donate the body so they know how to proceed.

Donation means that, once death occurs, the body must reach the dissection room as quickly as possible, within twenty-four hours. This means that no wake or funeral can be held for the deceased, nor will any remains (ashes, etc.) be returned.

If death occurs in the city of Lleida, the transfer of the donor’s body from the place of death to the dissection room is covered by the Human Anatomy Department of the Faculty of Medicine (as long as budget availability allows).

In any case, the Human Anatomy Department reserves the right to revoke a donation for any of the following exclusion criteria:

  • When notification of death is delayed beyond 24 hours.
  • When a judicial or clinical autopsy is required due to accidental death or any other reason.
  • Logistical issues related to space or time.
  • Infectious diseases (HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, COVID-19, etc.).
  • Morbid obesity or cachexia.
  • Previous organ donation for transplantation (except in the case of cornea donation).
  • Major surgery, amputations, or severe burns.
  • Lack of registration in the Body Donation Service of the University of Lleida.

Revocation of body donation to science

The donor has the right to revoke the donation of their body. To officially revoke the donation, you must contact the Body Donation Service of the University of Lleida by calling 973702400 // 973702290 and schedule an appointment to submit the following signed document:

Body Donation Revocation Form

Finally, on behalf of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Lleida, we would like to express our gratitude for this important and necessary contribution, which is vital for the training of future professionals in the health field and for medical research.

Body Donation Team – University of Lleida 

Contact Numbers

Funeral Services of Lleida "La Lleidatana": 639369376 (available 24 hours)

Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lleida: 973702400 (available 24 hours)