Conditions for acceptance

Are all donations accepted?

We are not able to accept all donations and we cannot make a decision about acceptance until the time of death. If we are unable to accept in Oxford but believe that another medical school might be able to, we will ask your next of kin whether they would like us to pursue this as an option.

Because we can never guarantee to accept a donation, we strongly recommend making sure that your next of kin are aware of your alternative wishes should we have to decline. This reduces any uncertainty at a difficult time.

Although not exhaustive, the following is a list of some of the circumstances which may prevent us accepting a body for anatomical examination:

•             Post mortem examination

•             Death while overseas

•             Some infectious diseases

•             A recent diagnosis (less than two years) of some forms of dementia

•             Open wounds on the body, such as those caused by bedsores, varicose ulcers or recent operations

•             Sepsis

•             Severe peripheral oedema

•             Severe arthritic deformity, such that the deceased cannot lie flat

•             Donation of organs for

•             transplantation (except donation of corneas)

•             Severe obesity or severely underweight

•             Some forms of cancer

Am I too old?

There is no upper age limit on donation; donors aged 18 and over can be accepted.