Human Tissue Authority

The regulator for human tissue and organs

Public display

Human bodies, body parts and specimens may be put on public display, for example as part of an exhibition in a gallery or museum. If they are from the body of a deceased person who died less than 100 years ago, the premises must be licensed by the HTA for public display. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, consent must be given by the person themselves for any part of their body to be displayed in public. If the person wants to give consent for their body, or any part of it, to be displayed after their death, their consent must be written and witnessed. HTA regulation of the activity of public display provides assurance to the public that bodies or tissue from the deceased that are displayed to the public are handled with care and treated with respect.

HTA position statement on storage of human material for teaching by schools and colleges
For the anatomy, public display, research and post mortem (storage only) sectors
Which records should be used by licensed and unlicensed establishments to evidence traceability and ensure a robust audit trail
Guide to completion of the public display licence application, including application form
Policy on the sale of bodies, body parts and tissue
The standards that establishments licensed under an HTA public display licence should meet
Further information about the definition of public display


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