If you would like to donate your body for medical research or teaching, the procedure is quite simple:

Contact the department of anatomy in the college of your choice. It will send you details about what will happen, as well as a form to fill in. This form is not legally binding and permission can be withdrawn at any time, either by you, or your family after your death.

When you die, the church ceremony is held in the usual way, after which the body, instead of going on for burial, is taken to the department of anatomy of choice. The departments require bodies to reach them within two-three days of death.

Bodies are held for between two and three years by the colleges after which, depending on the wishes of relatives, they may be buried in the special plot in Glasnevin or cremated. If relatives want to have the burial in their family plot, the college does not pay the costs.