A legacy for future generations

2023-10-23 05:32:03

The new body donation program at SFU is a contribution that everyone can make to the training of doctors and medical research

Vienna (OTS) – The desire to do something good for future generations can be traced across all eras and cultures in human history. Body donation in the service of medicine and science is a legacy that will help save lives in the future. Many people would like to make this contribution, but don’t know whether and how it is even possible in Austria. Prof. Constantin Sora, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and responsible for the new body donation program at the Sigmund Freud Private University, says:

The possibility of making one’s own body available for these purposes is regulated in Section 19(2) Point 3 of the Vienna Mortuary and Burial Act. Registration is actually very straightforward and all the necessary information and forms can be accessed via the website. Since this year, the SFU has been offering the opportunity to leave a legacy for the benefit of medicine; The preparations are then used in the training of young doctors and in medical research. And, what many people don’t know, a body donation automatically ensures a dignified burial.

In fact, the topic of body donation is one that, apart from the person concerned, also particularly affects the relatives who, in addition to the grief, also have to cope with the various necessities associated with the death. Prof. Alfred Pritz, psychoanalyst and rector of the SFU, explains why this aspect of body donation should not be underestimated:

As is well known, the topic of death and dying is one that we tend to push aside in our society. What is often forgotten is that it is a great relief for the surviving relatives if the deceased person has already made arrangements during their lifetime about what should happen after their death. In this respect, the legacy in favor of medicine is not just an ideal decision, but also saves the relatives from having to make decisions in an exceptional emotional situation, for example regarding the exact modalities of the funeral.

The space and form of remembrance for the bereaved therefore play just as important a role in the SFU’s body donation program as the good deed of the legacy itself. As a place of remembrance and gratitude for a valuable contribution after death, the SFU works in collaboration with the Vienna cemeteries created an atmospheric location near the honorary graves of anatomy at the central cemetery. Mag. Renate Niklas, Managing Director of the Vienna Cemeteries, says:

We know how important a gravesite is as a place of mourning for relatives, especially when a traditional farewell through body donation is not possible. We are pleased that we can provide the Sigmund Freud University at the Vienna Central Cemetery with a dignified area for commemoration and remembrance. A lovingly designed place in memory of all those who selflessly decide to make their bodies available to science after their death.

The dedication of the memorial took place on October 10th in the presence of Mag. Niklas, Prof. Pritz and Sora as well as Univ.-Doz. Dr. med. Christian Joukhadar, dean of the Faculty of Medicine at SFU.

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About SFU:

The Sigmund Freud Private University (SFU) is the largest private university in Austria and offers a wide range of study programs at bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral levels in psychotherapy science, psychology, human medicine, dentistry and law. The university’s humanistic mission statement strives for the development of individual personalities and promotes the creativity of students, teachers and employees alike.

As a transnational university, the SFU is represented in Linz, Berlin, Paris, Ljubljana and Milan in addition to the campus in Vienna. In the current academic year, SFU’s courses are being used by more than 5,000 students from over 80 different countries. The SFU outpatient clinics and clinics (dentistry, psychology, psychotherapy) make an important contribution to medical and psychosocial care.