Donating Your Body for Medical Research in the UK

Including research that may help conditions such as aspergillosis

This is an uncommon request, but it can be very helpful to researchers. There is no compulsion at all to consider body donation. It is entirely a personal choice. Many people will decide that it is not for them, and that is completely understandable. For those who do wish to explore it, however, body donation can make an important contribution to medical education, training, and research.

What does body donation mean?

In the UK, donating your body means leaving it after death to a medical school or other appropriately licensed institution for anatomical examination, education, training, or research.

You cannot usually donate your body specifically to “aspergillosis research” alone. However, donation may still support work that is highly relevant to people affected by aspergillosis, including:

  • lung disease
  • infection
  • immune responses
  • medical training in complex respiratory illness

The most important point: consent must be given in advance

Under UK law, body donation must be arranged before death. This means:

  • you must give written consent
  • the consent must usually be witnessed
  • your family cannot normally make this decision for you after you die

How to arrange body donation

  1. Choose a medical school
    You need to contact a medical school directly. Most only accept donations from their local area.
  2. Request an information pack
    The school will explain its process, send consent forms, and set out any restrictions.
  3. Complete the consent forms
    Keep copies with your important papers and let your family know your wishes.
  4. Tell your next of kin or executor
    They will usually need to contact the medical school promptly after death.

Important to understand

  • Not every donation can be accepted. Even if you have registered, a medical school may not be able to accept the body in every circumstance.
  • A backup funeral plan is important.
  • Body donation is separate from organ donation. They are different systems and require separate arrangements.

Can I ask for donation to help lung or aspergillosis-related research?

You can certainly explain that your interest is in supporting research and education relevant to lung disease, infection, or aspergillosis. However, you cannot usually guarantee exactly how a donated body will be used. Even so, donation may still support education and research that benefits future patients with complex respiratory and fungal conditions.

Where to start: Human Tissue Authority

The best first step is the Human Tissue Authority (HTA), which provides UK guidance and a way to identify the correct medical school for your postcode.

Examples of medical school body donation pages

Please note: contact details and catchment arrangements can change, so it is wise to confirm current information directly on each medical school’s website.

Final thought

Donating your body for medical education or research is an unusual and deeply personal decision. There is absolutely no obligation to consider it. But for those who do, it can be a generous and lasting way to support future learning, better care, and research that may help people living with serious conditions, including aspergillosis.

Last reviewed: March 2026

by GAtherton