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On 29 October, the Faculty of Medicine of ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓƵ (VU) will hold a solemn ceremony. For the first time, the remains of those who chose to donate their bodies to medical science upon their death will be buried at Antakalnis Cemetery. Until now, donors’ bodies have been cremated, with their urns either entrusted to relatives or the University. This year, an inaugural burial ceremony will take place to honour the memory of the donors; their remains in the urns preserved at VU will be interred in a specially designated resting place, capable of holding more than 1,000 urns in the future.

According to VU Rector Prof. Rimvydas Petrauskas, this event is a remarkable tribute to those who have contributed to the advancement of medical science and the education of future doctors, as well as a gesture of gratitude to the donors’ families.

‘This ceremony is important not only to the University community but also to society as a whole. Each person who donates their body to medical science offers future doctors a unique opportunity to study real human anatomy, and gives all of us the chance to contribute to medical progress. This ceremony is our sincere expression of how grateful we are to them and their relatives for this noble gift,’ reflected Prof. Petrauskas.

Prof. Dalius Jatužis, Dean of the VU Faculty of Medicine, noted that anatomical donation is a profound expression of trust and dedication.

‘By donating their body to medical science, people provide an invaluable opportunity for learning and advancement. These noble and silent benefactors demonstrate their profound trust in future doctors through their generous decision. Students benefit from this gift, gaining not only a deeper understanding of anatomy but also lessons in respect, compassion, and responsibility. The sacrifice of these individuals serves as a lesson for life, reminding us that medicine starts with gratitude and respect for the human being,’ affirmed Prof. Jatužis.

Prof. Janina Tutkuvienė, Head of the Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Anthropology of the VU Faculty of Medicine, believes that donating one’s body to medical studies and science is among the noblest and most meaningful acts a person can perform.

‘People who donate their bodies after death to anatomical studies transcend time through their mindset, courage, sacrifice, altruism, and understanding of how to continue serving meaningfully, even after death,’ said Professor of Anatomy, Janina Tutkuvienė.

The solemn ceremony honouring body donors will start at 10:00 at the VU Faculty of Medicine (ÄŒiurlionio g. 21, Room 104). Here, relatives, members of the academic community, students, and teaching staff will be able to pay their final respects to 27 cremated remains, which ÃÛ¶¹ÊÓƵ Chaplain Aldonas Gudaitis will bless.

The procession will depart for Antakalnis Cemetery at 12:15, where a solemn burial ceremony will commence at 13:00, and the remains will be interred in the specially designed plot. On their final journey, the cremated remains will be accompanied by relatives of the benefactors, VU Chaplain Aldonas Gudaitis, Rector Prof. Petrauskas, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Prof. Jatužis, Head of the Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Anthropology Prof. Tutkuvienė, as well as other academic and non-academic staff and students of the Faculty of Medicine.

On average, the Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Anthropology at the VU Faculty of Medicine receives 35 body donation statements and six to ten donor bodies annually. The donated bodies play a vital role in anatomy studies for medical students, professional development programmes for doctors, and research that expands knowledge of the human body and refines existing treatment methods.