Silent Teachers: Donating body to science seen as final gift to society

Ernest Greeley always wanted to attend university and in a way, he did — but only after he died and donated his body to science. 

"When he was diagnosed with cancer, he made the call ... He always wanted to go to university and he was hoping at that time that's how he would get there," says late wife Theresa Greeley.

Greeley generously donated his remains to Memorial University's Anatomical Gift Program. 

Medical, nursing and pharmacy students all use cadavers to study human anatomy and many believe it's better than any textbook or model.

"He's helped a lot of people," Greeley said, holding back tears. 

While she believes her husband made a lasting contribution to science, talking about his death isn't easy. 

Can't take it with you 

Rosanne Ryder, Ernest Greeley's sister, also sees the value in donating.

She believes the body is a vessel that guides you through life, but that it holds no purpose after death. 

"This way it did have a use," Ryder said.

"We know it helped the people in the medical profession and hopefully it helps save a life and make our doctors better."

Ryder said her final goodbyes in a hospital room. 

There was no coffin, no funeral home visit and no church service.

"It was the most at peace I've ever been with the loss of a loved one," she said.

"It felt like we were doing something special for other people."

Service of Gratitude

On Nov. 2, Memorial University held its first service to honour donors at St. Augustine's Church on the St. John's campus. 

"This was a chance for us to give [the families] closure, but also a chance for us to say thank you," said Judy Foote, Manager of Medical Education and Laboratory Support Services at the Faculty of Medicine.

Clergy members offered prayers while medical professionals explained just how integral donors are in educating their students. 

Music from a string quartet filled the church and afterwards, families hugged and bonded over their unique shared experience. 

"Some of the families are not too sure, like 'Dad, yes, wanted to be donated, this is what his wishes were so we're going to do it, but we were never comfortable with the whole idea,'" Foote said. 

"So now, they got an opportunity to see how it benefits." 

No body, no funeral

For Garry Parsons, a retired priest, forgoing a funeral and wake made dealing with the death of his friend Bill Squires very difficult.  

"I started to get what most of us do -- selfish. I wanted what I thought was best for me ... A traditional funeral," Parsons said. 

But that 'selfishness' didn't last long.

"I knew I had to respect his wishes. This was his final way of giving back to humanity ... And I was very thankful that his final wish was granted."

Parsons has since decided that he too will donate his body to the Anatomical Gift Program when he no longer needs it. 

A legacy of learning 

The bodies used in Memorial University cadaver labs are all local — Newfoundland and Labrador residents only.

The bodies are used for up to five years before being cremated and given back to the donor's family.

To date, 364 donors have been accepted into the program while 932 people have signed their names to a wish-to-donate wait list. 

But just who are these individuals who decide to donate their bodies to science? 

Many donors battled diseases and see it as a way to thank doctors or nurses who aided them when they were most vulnerable. 

Others, Foote said, simply see the process as an efficient and resourceful way to die. 

It takes an "adventurous" person who "just wants to give back," she said.  

Silent tutors 

Sitting in the pews among family and friends of the donors were students. 

Some, like Nadine Rockwood, wanted to show their gratitude to the people they consider to be silent teachers and first patients. 

"It's enhancing our learning," said Rockwood, a student in the Faculty of Medicine. 

"They're moulding the doctors of tomorrow so it's a wonderful program."

Working with cadavers, she said, is more than just a clinical science.

"The presence of nail polish, those things touch us and we take a step back from our learning." 

"We experience that, 'Wow ,this was a real person.'"