Reply #65: How do you feel about donating your body to science?

[GoldenOldie]

Looking at dead ones always gave me the creeps, beginning with the death of my grandfather in 1954. Years passed and in 1981, I was at my mother's side when she said she loved me and drew her last breath. 18-years later, within 13-months, my older sister, my brother and my father died and I was fortunate enough to have been at their sides to say goodby. Where I once feared and loathed the dying I now consider myself blessed to have been at their side and gained a new sense of death and it has made me less fearful of my own eventual passing.

Each of the funeral services were carried out in different States and each service different from the other.

My older sister died at the age of 64 from breast cancer which had metastized. She had worked hard all her life and retired on her ranch in Texas after working many years as a Program Analyst for NASA. Once she knew her death was imminent, she took total control and set her plans down to the smallest detail. She had commented at our Mothers's funeral about the horrible waste of money on caskets, flowers, that she did not want this when she died and that this money could be better spent with agencies that could help others ie., battered women's shelters, medical care for children, etc.

She made plans to donate her body to the Texas Medical College which would be used by the college and the students. Upon completion of the need or use of her cadaver, she was to be cremated and the remains returned to her family........at no cost for her or her family. Upon her death at home, the Hospice notified the authorities, which then immediately took control and handled all requirements. When returned her ashes were spread throughout the ranch which is now owned by her daughter.