Residents of the Republic of Ireland may apply to any of the five colleges in the country, the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, University College Dublin, and University College Galway.  Residents of Northern Ireland may apply to Queen’s University Belfast.

As a guide applications should be made to the institution nearest the donor’s residential address, but this is by no means a rule.

The intending donor themselves must apply to a college directly for acceptance into their donor programme and the application form must be witnessed.  

It should be noted that acceptance does guarantee the body will be taken at the time of death.

No.  The donor themselves must apply.

Yes, it is important that others know of the intention to donate, and also excactly what to do when the intending donor dies.

It is also helpful to let others know what arrangements the donor would like when they die, in terms of, say, a wake or remembrance service, and later when the body is available for final burial or cremation

Acceptance into a donor programme depends on a number of criteria relating to both the needs of the college and the condition of the body itself (see medical factors affecting donation below).

It should be noted that acceptance into the programme by an institution does not guarantee acceptance of the body at the time of death. Therefore the next-of-kin or executor should be prepared to make alternative arrangements for the remains if required.

Generally age is not an issue and there is no upper limit.  Amputation may not be a problem, but having had organs removed may preclude acceptance.  

The following are examples of factors that will make a body unsuitable for donation: 

• Infection from diseases such as MRSA, Hepatitis, HIV, Tuberculosis, and Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease or any other conditions that may present a risk to students and staff.
• Extensive trauma to the body at the time of death or advanced decomposition.
• Extreme obesity and certain medical conditions e..g. severe deformity of joints from arthritis and certain skin conditions

The college will best advise here for each individual case

Unfortunately if a post mortem was carried out then the body will no longer be suitable for donation

There is no payment for a donation, but your gift will be an invaluable help in training and medical education

Typically the body will be held for two to three years

The next of kin will be contacted to agree arrangements.  A number of options maybe available, depending on the institution, including return of the remains, cremation and return of the ashes, or cremation and interment by the institution.

The receiving college should be contacted, or funeral directors nominated by them, and they will arrange collection.  Collection can be organised directly or allowing sometime for a wake or funeral service.  

Remember that there is no guarantee that the body will be accepted at the time of death so the next of kin or executor need to be prepared to make alternative arrangements for handling the remains.