Kaohsiung: "I wasn't good at speaking or teaching in this life, but I get to be a teacher in my afterlife," Wei Tsung-ming expressed before his death, as his wife shared with CNA. After passing away in 2025 at the age of 60, Wei became a body donor at the College of Medicine of Kaohsiung Medical University (KMU), serving as a "silent mentor" to impart a profound lesson about life to medical students.

According to Focus Taiwan, Wei was diagnosed with retroperitoneal liposarcoma in 2009 and underwent multiple surgeries as the cancer recurred. Initially registered as an organ donor, he later opted for the "silent mentor" program after learning about it from hospice nurses during the final stages of his illness. Despite his organs being deemed unsuitable for donation due to the disease's progression, Wei remained committed to his decision, completing all necessary paperwork before his passing.

Hsu Yu-chen, Wei's wife, recounted the journey with emotion, explaining that he believed in utilizing his body for educational purposes posthumously. In Taiwan, while the cultural norm is to keep the body intact after death, a select few choose to become "silent mentors," donating their bodies for medical education and training. Li I-chen, associate dean at KMU, noted that donors generally have a more accepting view of life and death, valuing the educational benefits their bodies provide to students.

Chen Yung-chia, an anatomy professor at KMU, emphasized the respect accorded to donors. Before dissections, students meet with donors' families to learn about their lives. Students bow to their "silent mentors" as a sign of respect at the beginning and end of each class. Upon completion of training, a remembrance ceremony is held in line with the donor's religious beliefs, after which the remains are either buried in a tree burial or returned to the family.

The program not only educates students on anatomy but also encourages them to ponder deeper questions of existence. A KMU medical student surnamed Su remarked that silent mentors provide invaluable lessons, prompting students to reflect on the essence of being human.