Donating your body, organs or tissue

You can help others after your death by donating your organs or tissue, or by donating your body to medical science.

Donate your body to medical science

If you want to donate your body to medical science you must contact a university. You should also tell family and friends so that they know your wishes when the time comes.

Contact a university

You can only donate your body to a university. There are 5 universities in Scotland you can donate your body to:

• Aberdeen University
• Dundee University
• Edinburgh University
• Glasgow University
• St Andrews University

Speak to the university closest to you. This will save on transport costs for your body after your death.

The university you choose will give you the legal papers you need to sign. They'll also answer any questions you have.

Tell the university you choose about any health issues you have. Some health conditions may mean they cannot accept your body.

If you donate organs to a living person after your death, you may not be able to donate your body to a university as well.

How your body will be used

Bodies donated to medical science are used for:

• teaching medical students, dental students, therapists and other healthcare professionals about the human body
• training healthcare professionals on surgical techniques
• research studies to improve the understanding of the human body, health and disease

In Scotland, you cannot ask for your body to be used only for research into a specific health condition or disease. It may be, but the university you choose cannot guarantee this.

Find out more about donating your body to medical science on gov.scot or contact anatomy@gov.scot.

Donate organs or tissue

Organ and tissue donation is giving your organs or tissue to someone who needs it.

You can choose whether to donate or not.

Find out more on the Organ Donation Scotland website, including how to:

• register to donate
• opt out from donating
• amend or withdraw your registration

Find out more about organ and tissue donation and transplantation on gov.scot.

Tell people what you want to happen

It’s important to tell your family and friends if you want to donate your body, organs or tissue. This can make it easier for them to follow your wishes when the time comes.

You can share your decision by:

• talking to someone about what you want to happen
• writing your wishes down