Service of Thanksgiving for Body Donors

12 Mar 2012

Tuesday 20 March 2012 (12.15 for 12.30pm) in the Whitworth Hall.

As you know, each year the University accepts a number of human bodies, which are used to teach anatomy to medical, dental and science students.

The bodies we receive 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 last year was attended by approximately 400 people. 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 we received, it is clear that the Service was greatly appreciated by the families of the donors.

The Service this year will be held at 12.15 for 12.30 pm on Tuesday 20 March 2012 in the University’s Whitworth Hall.

I am delighted to say that, once again, representatives of our students will take an active part in the Service.

I am writing to 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. 

Alan Crossman
Professor of Anatomy