Donating your body to science after your death can be an easy, altruistic and frugal way to go – but you have to make arrangements!
A Good Goodbye Radio examines body donation for medical research this Wednesday, May 22 at 6:00 p.m. ET/3:00 p.m. PT. The guest is Valere Beck with MedCure.org, a national body donation program that supports medical science. Download the podcast!
MedCure works with local licensed funeral directors to arrange for body transportation, cremation, two death certificates and the return of the cremated remains to the family.
Valere Beck with MedCure
Valere Beck started with MedCure doing educational outreach to the public about the benefits of whole body donation. She is now director of marketing for MedCure.
Some of the aspects of whole body donation to be discussed include:
- Who is eligible to donate their body to science?
- What can families expect before there’s a death?
- What is done with donated bodies?
- Can one be an organ transplant donor and a whole body donor? (Hint – it depends on how you die)
- Can one request a specific research use for one’s body?
- When are cremated remains returned to the family?
Listeners are invited to call in with their questions during the second half of the program. The toll-free number is 866-404-6519.
This program is sponsored by MedCure’s Surgical Training Centers in New England, Nevada and Portland, Oregon. More information is available at www.MedCureSTC.org.
A Good Goodbye is an entertaining and educational weekly 60-minute online radio show on “everything you need to know before you go.” The program airs live on Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. CT / 4:00 p.m. MT / 3:00 p.m. PT and becomes available as a podcast after each live program.
A Good Goodbye program podcasts can be downloaded from iTunes or AGoodGoodbye.com. Last week’s guest on A Good Goodbye was Brian Flowers, president of the Green Burial Council.
A Good Goodbye covers a wide range of critical information most people don’t consider until there’s a death in the family. Topics to be discussed on upcoming programs include: pet loss (May 29), advance funeral planning (June 5), funeral consumer issues (June 12), and the Death Café movement (June 26).
By planning ahead and having a conversation, families can reduce stress at a time of grief, minimize family conflict, save money and create a meaningful, memorable “good goodbye.” Host Gail Rubin brings a light touch to a serious subject and presents expert interviews on funeral planning issues with practical insights into the party no one wants to plan. More information is available at www.AGoodGoodbye.com.