Body Donation to Science

Medical schools need human bodies to contribute to the education of medical
doctors and other health professionals, and for scientific research. This is not a
subject with which all are comfortable, but Humanists Malta agrees that arranging
to donate one’s body ensures it remains of use to others after one’s death, and is a
generous and invaluable gift to society.
There are now two medical schools in Malta in need of suitable human bodies for
education and research, and Humanists Malta would strongly encourage everyone
to register as a body donor. In both cases the procedure is simple:
The University of Malta Visit their webpage
https://www.um.edu.mt/ms/anatomy/bequest. Alternatively contact the
Department of Anatomy on 2340 3289 or email anatomy.ms@um.edu.mt.
Queen Mary University of London Malta Campus, Gozo Visit their webpage
https://www.qmul.ac.uk/malta/community-hub/body-donation. Alternatively
contact the Bequeathal Coordinator on 9910 8044 or email
bodydonation@qmul.ac.uk.
– For both universities, there are a few restrictions relating to acceptance of
bodies (such as timing, or certain diseases or procedures) which they will
explain to you.
– Both universities are committed to interacting with donors, and subsequently
their families, speedily and with respect.
– When you die, if you have previously agreed to donate, the relevant
departments will arrange, and pay for, transport of your body to their premises
from anywhere in Malta or Gozo.
– Once your body has fulfilled its purpose, they arrange burial (in the absence of
cremation in Malta). Currently donations to the University of Malta are buried in
the Addolorata Cemetery in Paola, Malta, and those to the Queen Mary
University in the Nadur Cemetery, Gozo.
– We have been assured that neither university assumes you have any religious
affiliation, and do not arrange a funeral or other religious or non-religious
ceremony – though these, or release of your body for cremation abroad, can be
arranged by your family if they wish.
– It is important to note that, if you do not want any ceremony, or want a
particular kind of ceremony, or cremation, you should make that clear to your
family or loved ones separately, for example in your will, as both universities
will act in accordance with instructions from your next-of-kin once they no
longer wish to retain your body.