He would then display them in his own Body Worlds exhibition, and it’s been revealed that his final wish will be granted.
Over 58 million people around the world have viewed his exhibitions, but it isn’t without controversy, with many religious groups and members of the public against his display of human remains.
But in a statement released by his family, it was revealed that “Dr Death” would make his own body available for plastination.
“Dr Death” had one final wish
Dr von Hagens’ family confirmed that he passed away on Friday (July 24), after being admitted to a clinic in Heidelberg, Germany, with a brain hemorrhage.
The anatomist had been battling Parkinson’s Disease for almost two decades.
“It was Gunther von Hagens’ own wish to make his body available for plastination after his death,” the statement said.
“His family will respect and carry out this wish.”
His institute also confirmed his passing in a statement, which read: “It is with deep sadness that the family and the Institute for Plastination announce the passing of Dr Gunther von Hagens, inventor of plastination and creator of the Body Worlds exhibitions.”
Dr von Hagens hadn’t kept this wish secret, having told the media in the past that he wanted his body to be preserved.
He told the Guardian in 2018: “I could envisage my plastinated body standing in a welcoming pose at the entrance of an exhibition, or rendered into slices and distributed across various sites.”
Dr Death’s wife commented on his request
That same year, von Hagens’ wife Dr Angelina Whalley revealed that he requested that she personally treat his body once he dies, as she was also an anatomist.
She explained to the Guardian: “He said to me, ‘Angelina, you are entitled to freeze me down to -25C for one year, but after that time you really need to put your hands on me because otherwise I will get freeze burn.’ So I have one year for mourning and then I will have to do it.”
Dr Whalley would eventually accept the responsibility, though she admitted: “Of course, in the very beginning I thought, Gunther, you are kidding me! This is something I would never be able to do.”
However, she said that it would be “finalizing his life’s work,” adding: “I understand now that it’s more an appreciation and an expression of love for me to do it.”