In "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers," author Mary Roach discusses the various options available for the disposition of one's body after death. She emphasizes that regardless of the choice made—be it burial, cremation, or donation to science—none of these options are particularly appealing from a visual perspective. Roach argues that the common fears associated with body donation, such as dissection, should not deter individuals from considering it as a worthy choice.

She suggests that the perceived horror of dissections is comparable to the natural decay or the processes involved in preparing a body for a traditional funeral. In her view, these processes, while perhaps unpleasant to contemplate, ultimately highlight the inevitable fate of all human bodies. Roach invites readers to reconsider their feelings about body donation, emphasizing its value for scientific research and education, despite any initial misgivings.