There will be a Service of Thanksgiving for Body Donors who give their bodies to science on Tuesday 12 March at 12.30pm at The University of Manchester’s Whitworth Hall.
The University accepts a number of human bodies, which are used to teach anatomy to medical, dental and science students.
The bodies received are those of people from the Manchester area who have indicated, prior to their death, that they wish to donate their bodies for this purpose.
This selfless and public-spirited action benefits the education of around 2000 students each year.
The Service of Thanksgiving has become an annual event in memory of those who have bequeathed their bodies to the University in the previous academic year. The service is unrelated to the final committal or funeral service of any individual, but, rather, is intended as an opportunity for the public-spirited actions of the donors to be acknowledged.
The service this year will be held at 12:30 pm for 12:45 pm on Tuesday 12 March in the University’s Whitworth Hall.
The service was attended by approximately 400 people last year. These included many relatives and friends of the deceased, current students, academic, administrative, postgraduate and support staff, senior University representatives, senior civic officials and clergy. From the feedback the University received, it is clear that the service was greatly appreciated by the families of the donors.
Dr Ingrid Gouldsborough, Senior Lecturer in Anatomy, said: “I am delighted to say that, once again, representatives of our students will take an active part in the Service.
“I invite you to attend the Service, as a gesture of recognition of the selfless actions of the donors and the benefit that the University and our students derive from these bequeathals.
“This will be a non-denominational Service. I would like to stress that you do not need to be of any particular religious affiliation or, indeed, to hold any religious belief, to attend the Service. Everyone will be made most welcome.”
