Donation of Bodies

Frequently asked questions

What use are donated bodies to the department?
Donated bodies are used solely for teaching and research.
The identification system used for each body enables it to be followed up at all times, up to its time of incineration. It is completely anonymous to anyone outside the service.

What bodies do we use?
We can only accept bodies that have a “Body donor card” and a medical death certificate.

What is a "Body donor card"?
Having a body donor card shows the willingness of the holder to donate his or her body after death. The donation will be considered if, at the time of death, a person close to the donor contacts any of the telephone numbers on the body donor card.
This card in no way obliges the holder to donate his or her body if they change their opinion.

Can one be a body donor as well as an organ or tissue donor?
One can be both a body donor and an organ or tissue donor, though priority is given to the donation of organs or tissues. In this latter case, donation of the whole body will only go ahead if there are no other donations.

Is there any expense involved being a donor?
No, in no case will the donor pay, or receive, any economic compensation for the donation. This is a purely altruistic deed.

What is the final destination of donated bodies?
Once all the teaching and research has taken place, the body will be incinerated by the oficial funeral services of Málaga Cementery. (PARCEMASA).


How to become a donor

1.    Any morning from Monday to Friday attend the Área de Anatomía y Embriología Humana, situated in the Faculty of Medicine of Malaga University. The address is:

Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga.
Campus Universitario de Teatinos, Boulevard Louis Pasteur, 32.
29010 Málaga (Spain)

Donation can only be arranged by the interested party, never by an intermediary.

2.    Complete the "Agreement to donate body" form in the presence of two witnesses (from the department). The donor must show a document proving his or her identity (National Identity Document,
Passport, etc.).

3.    At this time the donor will be given the official "Body donor card". The donor should carry this card at all times. In addition, those persons close to the donor should be made aware of this fact.

 

 

Causes for refusing to accept a body

 
1.    If death occurs outside the province of Malaga.

2.    In cases of death due to an accident or any reason that makes an autopsy necessary.

3.    When death occurs soon after surgery and the wound has still not healed.

4.    In cases of death due to an infectious-contagious disease (Creutzeldt-Jakob, viral haemorrhagic fever, anthrax, cholera, rabies, plague, etc.).

5.    In cases of death due to contamination by radioactive products.

6.    In those cases in which the professor of anatomy is unable to ensure the correct preparation and preservation.

7.    State morbid obesity or weight loss.

8.    Acceptance of the deceased donor body will be subject to the availability of facilities for the preservation of the body, may be rejected in case you covered the maximum number of donors.