Donating your body to science in the Netherlands, Belgium and parts of the UK is possible through a few organizations, usually university willed body programs. Universities often set geographical restrictions, additional acceptance criteria or temporarily suspend new donor registrations, limiting donation as an option for many. RISE Labs Body Donation wants to facilitate those who desire to donate their body. As long as you are at least 16 years old and free of communicable diseases such as Hep B, Hep C and HIV, we should be able to match your donation with appropriate medical education or research projects. Each donation supports an average of seven projects.

If you are interested in donating your body to science, you can register with RISE Labs to be a donor. We will contact you to explain the whole process and answer any questions you might have. It is also possible to become a donor at RISE Labs in the case that you did not register but that you did declare your interest in donation with your family, in your will or in a declaration of intent, that you want to donate your body to science. We attach great value to clear agreements, informed consent and a careful process, so you and your relatives know exactly what to expect throughout the process.

For successful body donation, it is important to know that your body must be in our anatomical laboratory within 24 hours of death. Therefore it is essential that your next of kin report your death as soon as possible to RISE Labs. RISE Labs will then ask your next of kin a number of questions to determine whether your body is still suitable for donation. We inquire into the circumstances of your death, recent medical treatments and specific disorders. RISE Labs will also request permission to view your medical file. We do this, among other things, in order to guarantee the safety of our employees and the scientists.  

Unlike in a conventional funeral, your next of kin have limited opportunity to say goodbye. Visitation is possible until the moment the funeral company collects your body. With body donation there is no opportunity for a condolence ceremony with your body. RISE Labs Body Donation takes care of the transportation of your accepted body to our facility. We work together with a number of carefully selected funeral companies to manage the transportation, death certificate and permission from the mayor for donation. RISE Labs bears the costs for these steps. After recovery, RISE Labs takes care of the cremation of the partial remains. Unlike other programs, your next of kin may receive the cremated partial remains within two to three months, if requested. You may also choose to have your ashes scattered. RISE Labs is responsible for these costs.

You are welcome to withdraw your registration, at any time.