Cryonics is the practice of preserving a human body at extremely low temperatures, typically using liquid nitrogen, with the speculative hope that future medical technology can revive and treat the person. This process, known as cryopreservation, requires immediate action following legal death and long-term storage, both involving a significant financial commitment. Understanding the true cost requires looking beyond a single price tag to the complex funding model that supports indefinite care. This article details the financial prerequisites, breaks down the allocation of funds, and explains the mechanisms used to meet this substantial economic requirement.
The Total Financial Commitment
The required financial outlay for cryopreservation varies widely, depending on the service selected and the provider chosen. The two main options are whole-body cryopreservation and neuro-cryopreservation, which involves preserving only the head containing the brain. Whole-body procedures typically require a funding commitment ranging from approximately $200,000 to $220,000 at major providers, while neuro-preservation is significantly less, often starting around $80,000.
The total cost can be lower with some organizations, with one offering whole-body preservation for as little as $28,000. However, this minimum price may not include all logistical expenses like transportation or a standby team. Higher-end figures are usually associated with a more comprehensive package that includes a dedicated standby team, international transport capabilities, and a larger allocation to the long-term patient care fund.
What the Fees Cover
The substantial total commitment is divided into two distinct components: the immediate costs of the procedure and the funding for perpetual maintenance. A smaller portion covers the immediate, time-sensitive services required upon legal death. This includes activating and deploying a specialized standby team, transporting the team and patient, and performing the initial stabilization and cryoprotection procedure.
The majority of the required funds are not spent immediately but are instead allocated to a separate Patient Care Trust or Endowment Fund. This fund is legally structured to be invested conservatively. The goal is generating returns that will cover the long-term storage and maintenance of the patient in liquid nitrogen. This strategy ensures that the patient’s care can continue indefinitely.
In addition to the primary funding commitment, members must also pay recurring annual or monthly membership dues, which are separate from the cryopreservation funds. These dues cover the operational costs of the organization, such as maintaining the 24/7 readiness of the standby teams, research, and facility overhead. Maintaining current membership is a prerequisite for the cryopreservation funding to be accepted and utilized.
Funding Options for Cryonics
Due to the high capital requirement, most people do not pay the full preservation cost upfront but instead use financial instruments to secure the funds upon their death. Life insurance is the most common and practical way to fund the commitment, with the cryonics organization typically named as the primary beneficiary. Term life insurance policies are frequently used because they offer a high death benefit for relatively low monthly premiums, especially when secured at a younger age.
The individual pays the monthly or annual premiums, and upon legal death, the insurance payout covers the full cost of the cryopreservation service and the long-term endowment fund. Some people opt for whole life insurance or a combination of term and whole life to ensure coverage extends into later life, as term policies have an expiration date. Trusts, such as revocable living trusts, are also used to manage the funds, especially when complex estate planning is involved.
While less common, individuals with sufficient liquid assets can choose to prepay the entire amount directly to the organization or set up an in-trust bank account. This direct funding method bypasses the need for an insurance policy and ensures that the funds are immediately available for the time-sensitive cryopreservation procedure. For most members, however, the strategy of using life insurance allows the high financial barrier to be met through a manageable ongoing expense.