Woman will have her corpse dissected on television in 'world first' tonight

WARNING: This article contains material that some might find distressing.

A poignant documentary set to air tonight will show a woman having her corpse dissected in a 'world first'.

Throughout her treatment, she kept her followers updated on her progress on Instagram while also expressing her positive and spiritual attitude towards life and death.

And now her body will be dissected on TV, something Channel 4 describes as a 'world first'.

Per the network: "Toni was the first person in the UK to elect to donate her body for public display.

"This film shows the dissection of Toni’s body during a series of educational workshops - the first time a dissection has been captured on TV of a named donor - which is intended to educate viewers on the science of cancer and its journey through the human body."

It's safe to say that for Toni's parents, Jo and Jason Crews, it's been a rollercoaster of emotions.

"It was easier to watch than I expected. And it didn’t look like Toni, so I could mentally distance myself from it."

Jo added: "It’s the more personal side that gets me: the minute’s silence where the students say thank you to Toni; where one of the medical team cries her eyes out.

"The fact that Toni made this journey, yet touched so many people regardless.

"It’s what she wanted - to be a force for good. And soon, she’ll do that for millions of others."

Professor Claire Smith, head of anatomy at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, said: "We have been so privileged to explore the journey of cancer through the incredible donation made by Toni.

"As part of this documentary, we were able to invite more than 1,000 students, including nurses, paramedics and neuroscientists, who wouldn’t normally get to learn about this one in a million cancer.

"Toni’s gift of body donation doesn’t end with this documentary either; her body will be used to educate our medical students and doctors for years to come."

By doing so, Channel 4 commissioning editor Anna Miralis said this will ensure the film is 'filled with all the warmth and generosity that characterised Toni’s inspiring life'.

My Dead Body airs tonight on Channel 4 at 10pm.

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677