Body Donation

Body donation refers to the voluntary decision to make one’s own body available to medical science after death.

This donation primarily serves the anatomical training of medical students as well as research into new surgical methods and treatment techniques. With a body donation, it is therefore possible to make a valuable contribution to research and the training of physicians even after death.

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Admissibility of Body Donation

Body donation is not regulated by law in Austria, but is permissible according to the jurisprudence of the Supreme Court.

Every person can freely dispose of their own corpse during their lifetime as an outflow of the general right of personality, both testamentary and contractually.

Therefore, it is also legally permissible to leave one’s own body to medical science. However, this right is highly personal. This means that the decision to donate one’s body must be made by the person themselves during their lifetime. Other persons such as relatives, heirs or adult representatives may not make this decision.

Body Donation to Medical Universities

In Austria, body donation is possible to the following medical universities:

• Medical University of Vienna
• Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversität Wien
• Medical University of Graz
• Medical University of Innsbruck
• Paracelsus Medical University

All universities have their own contact point for interested people.

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Implementation of Body Donation

The body donation must be documented in writing during the lifetime and accepted by the respective anatomical institution. This works either through a legacy or by concluding a special body donation contract. Body donation contracts usually contain details on the conditions of the donation, the handling of the body and, if applicable, also on funeral costs.

Despite the advantages, body donation is not possible without restrictions. Certain (contagious) diseases, special circumstances of death or too great a distance from the university can lead to rejection.

After death, the body is picked up by the receiving institution and prepared for scientific use. The duration of use can range from a few months to several years. In the course of time, the entire body is used, for example in dissection courses for the training of students.

Burial after Body Donation

Due to the long period of use, no burial can take place immediately after death. In this case, the relatives usually hold a funeral service without a coffin. Only after completion of the use, the remains are usually cremated by the university and buried with dignity.

In addition, most universities hold an annual memorial service for the donors and commemorate their services to science. Relatives of the deceased, students and university lecturers are especially invited to this event.

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