07 March 2026
Graceful Transitions and the Legacy of Love "Before the Curtain Call"
The HKU School of Biomedical Sciences was honoured to spearhead this year’s Body Donation Day, a flagship Knowledge Exchange (KE) initiative held on March 7 (Saturday). Under the theme "Before the Curtain Call" (人生謝幕前), the event welcomed nearly 400 participants from diverse ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds to the Sassoon Road campus to explore the dignity and legacy of life’s final chapter.
The Bedrock of Medical Education: Mission and Heritage
As the custodian of the HKU Body Donation Programme, SBMS is committed not only to world-class research but also to the vital mission of nurturing HKUMed’s future doctors. During the event, participants visited the anatomy laboratories to witness how "Great Body Teachers" transcend the limitations of textbooks and AI, providing MBBS students with invaluable anatomical knowledge and humanistic insights. Many participants shared that seeing the solemnity and cleanliness of the laboratories transformed their initial apprehension into profound respect for the selfless contributions of our donors.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Exploring Life and Death through Multiple Perspectives
This year’s programme offered a more diverse and professional platform through interdisciplinary synergy with the HKUMed Medical Ethics and Humanities Unit and the Critical Care Medicine Unit. Highlights included:
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Sensory and Emotional Experiences: The "A Journey to the End: An Immersive Experience" simulated funeral rituals, encouraging participants to reflect on end-of-life planning with an open and curious mind.
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Dialogue between Technology and Life: Interactive VR sessions allowed guests to explore the intricate structures of the human body and marvel at the mysteries of life.
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Heartfelt Sharing: Intergenerational dialogues between medical students, donor families, and healthcare professionals redefined donation as a meaningful journey of being a "long-term volunteer for life."
Looking Ahead: Promoting Life Education and Social Inclusion
The heartening feedback from the public is our driving force for improvement. Looking forward, we are committed to further enhancing our programme logistics to ensure that both morning and afternoon participants enjoy equally captivating sessions. We also plan to strengthen cross-sector collaborations and extend our life education outreach to the younger generation, as well as ethnic minority communities, to raise awareness of the profound impact of body donation.
As we learn to face our destination with grace, may we find the path of life before us becoming broader and more meaningful.
Event Highlights: [Click here to view the 2026 Body Donation Day Photo Album]
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As we conclude the 2025 HKU Body Donation Day, we hold onto the hope of reconnecting in person—together, exploring the profound themes of life and death before the final curtain falls. On Saturday, March 7, 2026, we warmly invite you to join us once again for this meaningful occasion. The theme this year is "Before the Curtain Call"—highlighting the stories behind the scenes and on stage. As many souls take their final bow and bid farewell to their audience, what scenes will unfold? Are we, as witnesses, truly prepared for that moment?
Since the 1970s, The LKS Faculty of Medicine, HKU, has accepted body donations for teaching and research purposes. The training of compassionate medical professionals is deeply rooted in the contributions of their very first and most special patient—the "Great Body Teachers". These donors generously give their bodies to support medical education and research, endowing their lives with lasting purpose. To honour this tradition, HKUMed designates March 3rd as "HKU Body Donation Day", symbolising the continuation of knowledge and the university's spirit of life beyond mortality. This year's activities will be held on Saturday, March 7th, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Our aim is to provide a platform through sharing sessions, exhibitions, and interactive activities, where the public can better understand how to approach topics related to life, death, and end-of-life planning. The event's goal is not only to encourage individuals of all ages to reflect thoughtfully on these universal themes but also to foster mutual support, communication, and understanding within families and communities. In addition to our popular lectures and ongoing programmes, we have invited young funeral professionals, morticians, and social service organisations to share their insights, guiding attendees on a meaningful journey through life and death.
This year also marks the debut of a shuttle bus service, operating at designated times between HKU Faculty of Medicine and Admiralty MTR Station, making it more convenient for visitors to reach the Southern District. We hope these arrangements will help more people join us in contemplating these important aspects of human experience.
Register for the HKU Body Donation Day:
Please click here for our 28-seater bus service, and directions from Queen Mary Hospital to HKUMed by taking public transport.
Please click here for dining options in the area.
Please click here for the event poster.
* "Before Closing the Coffin" board game and Anatomage VR Learning Experiences have limited quota and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend arriving at least 5 minutes early to queue for each session.
* Please email us at hkubdp@hku.hk or call us at 3917 6334 for questions.
* Talks and certain activities will be conducted in Cantonese only. Please refer to the information below for details.
