National Geographic:

Most people have only a vague notion of what “body donation” even means. The thought alone frightens, or even disgusts, many people. And scandals involving the illegal sale of body parts, and other snafus, have inspired distrust in body donation programs.

But a closer look reveals the process as both strange and wonderful, clinical and deeply human. A donated organ can save a life, but a body provides the foundation to save many more.

Many of us are understandably squeamish about cadavers but the story of how much good we can do after our death is a good one to know. One of my favorite books is “Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers” (affiliate link) by Mary Roach.