Anat Biol Anthropol.  2023 Dec;36(4):173-180. 10.11637/aba.2023.36.4.173.

A Phenomenological Study for Bereaved Families Who Experienced Body Donation

• Kwon CY
• Choi NR
• Lee MY
• Shin KJ
• Sohn HJ
• Gil YC

• KMID: 2551289
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11637/aba.2023.36.4.173

Abstract

Since there is no research on bereaved families who have experienced the body donation process in South Korea, this study phenomenologically analyzed the experiences of 10 bereaved families who donated their family body to Chungbuk National University College of Medicine. These families revealed that although they did not initially intend to donate the remains of their loved ones, their decision was influenced by the deceased’s persistent persuasion and their own religious and value-based beliefs. During the donation process, they were taken aback by unexpected questions about the condition of the donor’s body, felt inconvenienced as the body handover process coincided with the funeral, and expressed a sense of emptiness as the donation process concluded in an instant. After the donation was completed, the bereaved family expressed their intention to donate their own body along with the donor’s, wanting to commemorate the donor’s sacrifice and dedication with many others. In order to enable those who have pledged to donate their bodies to actually donate their bodies in the future, it is necessary to educate, promote, and provide guidance to bereaved families and each university that has the final decision-making authority on donation. Additionally, an integrated body donation management system need to be established.

Keyword

Cadaver; Body donation; Bereaved family; Bereaved family interview; Qualitative analysis