The London Anatomy Office was established in the early 1980s to provide a central service for co-ordinating the donation of bodies to the London medical and dental schools. Nearly 20,000 generous and public spirited people are currently registered with the London Anatomy Office to donate their body. Each year approximately 350 donated bodies are accepted by the London Anatomy Office on behalf of the following teaching institutions:
- Anglia Ruskin School of Medicine
- Brighton & Sussex Medical School
- Canterbury Christ Church University
- Imperial College London
- King’s College London
- Queen Mary University of London
- St George’s University of London
- University College London
The London Anatomy Office is funded by, and accountable to the London and South East Committee of Anatomists (LSECA) which constitutes anatomists who are active within the eight medical schools served by the London Anatomy Office. The LSECA is accountable to the Teachers of Anatomy Trust (TOAT) and is a not-for-profit organisation which holds charitable status under the University of London. They are wholly funded by financial donations and legacies, and the medical schools which receive donated bodies. If you would like to contribute to costs incurred, please make a cheque payable to the Teachers of Anatomy Trust or “TOAT” and send to the above address. BACS details are available on request.
Service of Thanksgiving
In acknowledgement of the generous and valuable gift of the donation of a body for anatomical examination, a service of thanksgiving is organised by the London Anatomy Office each year. The Service commemorates donors from the previous calendar year and is an opportunity to express our gratitude to family and friends for the generous gift of the donation of their loved one's body.
We will be celebrating the people who were donated during 2022 at our annual Service of Thanksgiving which will be held on Friday 26th May 2023 at St George’s Cathedral, London. SE1 6HR for one hour from 1100.
Body donation
Importance of Body Donation
Bodies donated for anatomical examination are a vital resource for medical education and play a crucial role in producing practitioners of the highest standing, to work both in the United Kingdom and abroad. Anatomical examination is the study of the structure and function of the human body. The study of anatomy is one of the most fundamental subjects studied by medical students. Bodies donated for anatomical examination are also used in the education and training of a wide range of healthcare professionals including doctors, surgeons, dentists, nurses and physiotherapists. Ultimately, the skills and knowledge gained from the use of donated bodies benefit future patients.
Who can Donate?
Anyone over the age of 17 can donate their body. There is no upper age limit for bequeathing a body, however there is no guarantee that a donation will be accepted. Among other considerations, the cause of death itself could make the body unsuitable for anatomical examination, the object of which is the study of the normal structure of the body. If a donation cannot be accepted, responsibility for burial or cremation rests with the next of kin or executors. The London Anatomy Office is unable to make a contribution towards funeral costs.
Will a donation always be accepted?
Unfortunately, we are not able to accept some bodies for anatomical examination. Although not absolute, the following is a guide to reasons for NOT accepting a bequeathal:
- Covid positive within 28 days of death
- Post-mortem examination
- Some infectious diseases, e.g. viral hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis
- If organs, other than corneas, have been donated for transplantation or research
- Obesity or very low BMI
- Some forms of dementia
- Pressure sores, ulceration, or recent surgery where the wound has not healed
- Peripheral oedema (mild to moderate oedema may be acceptable) or ascites
- Where a donor is unable to lie flat on their back with their arms and legs flat
- Gangrene or jaundice
- Any circulatory obstruction that may impact preservation
If a body is not suitable for anatomical examination, the relatives or executors will be informed as soon as possible so they may make their own arrangements for the funeral.
We regret it is also not possible to accept a donation if a death occurs abroad, or if a death occurs during the Christmas season, over Easter or a bank holiday weekend when the medical schools are closed. The exact dates will vary from year to year but will be announced on the London Anatomy Office phone message during closures. In this circumstance the relatives or executors should make their own arrangements for funeral.
How long will a Donated Body be retained?
There is no legal limit on how long a donated body can be retained by a medical school. However, potential donors can limit the use of their body to a maximum of three years. It is important that potential donors discuss the time limit with their relatives, particularly if relatives may want to attend the eventual funeral and/or take possession of the ashes. It is also important to be aware that this is a maximum of three years and therefore the body may be released some time before the three year limit, sometimes within 6 months. With consent from the donor, the medical school may retain parts of the body upon conclusion of anatomical examination.
How do I Donate my Body?
For details of the relevant office or medical school your address comes under, please check the catchment area.
If you live in the catchment area covered by the London Anatomy Office you can download the necessary information and forms.
Will my body be treated with respect?
Absolutely. The teaching institutions served by the London Anatomy Office have a very strict code of practice that is strongly adhered to. Also the students are made aware of the generosity of the donors and the benefit to them, and are encouraged to treat the bodies suitably reverentially.
Can anyone donate their body?
There is no upper age limit, however donors have to be deemed to be mature enough to make an informed decision about such a donation hence there is a minimum age limit of 17.
Will you definitely accept my body?
No guarantee can be given that we will accept the offer of a donation. There are medical criteria to be met and, as circumstances can change over a donor's lifetime, we are unable to make a decision until after a death has occurred.
Can I make the decision to donate a body on behalf of someone else?
No. The consent has to have come directly from the potential donor. This consent can take the form of the potential donor having completed an appropriate consent form, either under the Anatomy Acts 1832 or 1984, or the Human Tissue Act 2004. Instructions left in a will are also considered valid consent providing the wording of the will meets the regulations of the Human Tissue Act 2004. Having power of attorney does not qualify you to make a decision to donate a body even if you believe it was what the deceased wanted.
Will you pay me to donate my body?
No. We do not make any payment for such a donation. However, if a body is accepted by us we will arrange, and meet the cost of the eventual cremation unless your next of kin wants to make their own arrangements at their own expense.
Are the bodies cremated in a mass cremation?
No. Each body is cremated individually following a 10 minute committal service conducted by a lay person, a humanist or a chaplain from one of the medical schools. The chaplain could be of any faith and should a family have a preference, they may wish to make their own arrangements for the funeral when the time comes.
Families and friends are invited to attend the short committal service currently held at Croydon Crematorium in South London. If the next of kin/family do not want a funeral carried out, a direct cremation will take place.
Can my family have my ashes?
Yes. Families wishing to take possession of the ashes will need to make arrangements with our funeral director. Ashes can be scattered in the garden of remembrance in Croydon Crematorium.
Do you hold a service to commemorate the donors?
Yes. Every year, on a Friday, usually in May, we hold a service of thanksgiving to commemorate the people who donated their body in the previous year. This year we will be celebrating the people who were donated during 2022 on Friday 26th May 2023 at St George’s Cathedral, London. SE1 6HR for one hour from 1100. The names of the donors are printed in the order of service.
Body donation
Importance of Body Donation
Bodies donated for anatomical examination are a vital resource for medical education and play a crucial role in producing practitioners of the highest standing, to work both in the United Kingdom and abroad. Anatomical examination is the study of the structure and function of the human body. The study of anatomy is one of the most fundamental subjects studied by medical students. Bodies donated for anatomical examination are also used in the education and training of a wide range of healthcare professionals including doctors, surgeons, dentists, nurses and physiotherapists. Ultimately, the skills and knowledge gained from the use of donated bodies benefit future patients.
Who can Donate?
Anyone over the age of 17 can donate their body. There is no upper age limit for bequeathing a body, however there is no guarantee that a donation will be accepted. Among other considerations, the cause of death itself could make the body unsuitable for anatomical examination, the object of which is the study of the normal structure of the body. If a donation cannot be accepted, responsibility for burial or cremation rests with the next of kin or executors. The London Anatomy Office is unable to make a contribution towards funeral costs.
Will a donation always be accepted?
Unfortunately, we are not able to accept some bodies for anatomical examination. Although not absolute, the following is a guide to reasons for NOT accepting a bequeathal:
- Covid positive within 28 days of death
- Post-mortem examination
- Some infectious diseases, e.g. viral hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis
- If organs, other than corneas, have been donated for transplantation or research
- Obesity or very low BMI
- Some forms of dementia
- Pressure sores, ulceration, or recent surgery where the wound has not healed
- Peripheral oedema (mild to moderate oedema may be acceptable) or ascites
- Where a donor is unable to lie flat on their back with their arms and legs flat
- Gangrene or jaundice
- Any circulatory obstruction that may impact preservation
If a body is not suitable for anatomical examination, the relatives or executors will be informed as soon as possible so they may make their own arrangements for the funeral.
We regret it is also not possible to accept a donation if a death occurs abroad, or if a death occurs during the Christmas season, over Easter or a bank holiday weekend when the medical schools are closed. The exact dates will vary from year to year but will be announced on the London Anatomy Office phone message during closures. In this circumstance the relatives or executors should make their own arrangements for funeral.
How long will a Donated Body be retained?
There is no legal limit on how long a donated body can be retained by a medical school. However, potential donors can limit the use of their body to a maximum of three years. It is important that potential donors discuss the time limit with their relatives, particularly if relatives may want to attend the eventual funeral and/or take possession of the ashes. It is also important to be aware that this is a maximum of three years and therefore the body may be released some time before the three year limit, sometimes within 6 months. With consent from the donor, the medical school may retain parts of the body upon conclusion of anatomical examination.
How do I Donate my Body?
For details of the relevant office or medical school your address comes under, please check the catchment area.
If you live in the catchment area covered by the London Anatomy Office you can download the necessary information and forms.
Will my body be treated with respect?
Absolutely. The teaching institutions served by the London Anatomy Office have a very strict code of practice that is strongly adhered to. Also the students are made aware of the generosity of the donors and the benefit to them, and are encouraged to treat the bodies suitably reverentially.
Can anyone donate their body?
There is no upper age limit, however donors have to be deemed to be mature enough to make an informed decision about such a donation hence there is a minimum age limit of 17.
Will you definitely accept my body?
No guarantee can be given that we will accept the offer of a donation. There are medical criteria to be met and, as circumstances can change over a donor's lifetime, we are unable to make a decision until after a death has occurred.
Can I make the decision to donate a body on behalf of someone else?
No. The consent has to have come directly from the potential donor. This consent can take the form of the potential donor having completed an appropriate consent form, either under the Anatomy Acts 1832 or 1984, or the Human Tissue Act 2004. Instructions left in a will are also considered valid consent providing the wording of the will meets the regulations of the Human Tissue Act 2004. Having power of attorney does not qualify you to make a decision to donate a body even if you believe it was what the deceased wanted.
Will you pay me to donate my body?
No. We do not make any payment for such a donation. However, if a body is accepted by us we will arrange, and meet the cost of the eventual cremation unless your next of kin wants to make their own arrangements at their own expense.
Are the bodies cremated in a mass cremation?
No. Each body is cremated individually following a 10 minute committal service conducted by a lay person, a humanist or a chaplain from one of the medical schools. The chaplain could be of any faith and should a family have a preference, they may wish to make their own arrangements for the funeral when the time comes.
Families and friends are invited to attend the short committal service currently held at Croydon Crematorium in South London. If the next of kin/family do not want a funeral carried out, a direct cremation will take place.
Can my family have my ashes?
Yes. Families wishing to take possession of the ashes will need to make arrangements with our funeral director. Ashes can be scattered in the garden of remembrance in Croydon Crematorium.
Do you hold a service to commemorate the donors?
Yes. Every year, on a Friday, usually in May, we hold a service of thanksgiving to commemorate the people who donated their body in the previous year. This year we will be celebrating the people who were donated during 2022 on Friday 26th May 2023 at St George’s Cathedral, London. SE1 6HR for one hour from 1100. The names of the donors are printed in the order of service.
Our Partners
Anglia Ruskin University
Brighton & Sussex Medical School
Canterbury Christ Church University
Imperial College London
King's College London and Affiliates
Queen Mary University of London
St George’s University of London
University College London
Contact us
If you would like to receive information on body donation, please contact:
The Donations Officer
London Anatomy Office
5th Floor, Hodgkin Building
King’s College London
Guy’s Campus
London SE1 1UL
Our telephones are answered between 1000-1600 Monday to Friday. If you call between these hours and you hear the answerphone it may be that we are on the telephone so please leave a message. It you call outside of these hours please leave a message and we will return your call at our earliest opportunity. We are not open weekends or bank holidays.
Notifying us of a death
Next of kin seeking to notify the London Anatomy Office of the death of a potential donor should telephone or email the office as a matter of urgency using the above contact details.