Body Donation to Science

Medical schools need human bodies to contribute to the education of medical doctors and other health professionals, and for scientific research. This is not a subject with which all are comfortable, but Humanists Malta agrees that arranging to donate one’s body ensures it remains of use to others after one’s death, and is a generous and invaluable gift to society.

There are now two medical schools in Malta in need of suitable human bodies for education and research, and Humanists Malta would strongly encourage everyone to register as a body donor. In both cases the procedure is simple: 

The University of Malta

Visit their webpage https://www.um.edu.mt/ms/anatomy/bequest

Alternatively contact the Department of Anatomy on

+356 2340 3289 or email anatomy.ms@um.edu.mt.

Queen Mary University of London Malta Campus, Gozo

Visit their webpage
https://www.qmul.ac.uk/malta/community-hub/body-donation

Alternatively contact the Bequeathal Coordinator on 9910 8044 or email
bodydonation@qmul.ac.uk.

– For both universities, there are a few restrictions relating to acceptance of bodies (such as timing, or certain diseases or procedures) which they will explain to you.
– [2024 update] Note that the bodies of organ donors can’t be accepted, so if the opt-out system for organ donation, proposed in February 2024, is implemented in Malta, body donors would need to actively opt out of organ donation.
– Both universities are committed to interacting with donors, and subsequently their families, speedily and with respect.
– When you die, if you have previously agreed to donate, the relevant departments will arrange, and pay for, transport of your body to their premises from anywhere in Malta or Gozo.
– Once your body has fulfilled its purpose, they arrange burial (in the absence of cremation in Malta). Currently donations to the University of Malta are buried in the Addolorata Cemetery in Paola, Malta, and those to the Queen Mary University in the Nadur Cemetery, Gozo.
– We have been assured that neither university assumes you have any religious affiliation, and do not arrange a funeral or other religious or non-religious ceremony – though these, or release of your body for cremation abroad, can be arranged by your family if they wish.
– It is important to note that, if you do not want any ceremony, or want a particular kind of ceremony, or cremation, you should make that clear to your family or loved ones separately, for example in your will, as both universities will act in accordance with instructions from your next-of-kin once they no longer wish to retain your body.