FMUSP Pathology Collection: a brief initial decolonising look towards the musealisation of human anatomical remains

The preservation of human anatomical remains in teaching collections can, under very specific circumstances, play a role in education and research, allowing an in-depth and respectful study of the human body and its complexities. However, their preservation—including documentation, communication, management and ethics—permeates disciplinary issues that directly link to discussions around decolonisation and interdisciplinarity. The objective of this study is to develop a theoretical account of the preservation for legacy human-remains collections that is grounded in consent, proportionality, dignity and epistemic justice, one that orients (but does not predetermine) their future musealisation. The approach adopted and reported here is based on a literature review and practical experience preserving human remains at the Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (FMUSP) Pathology Collection.