Prime Minister Julia Gillard's father John, who died over the weekend, has donated his body to science.

Mr Gillard, who brought his family to Australia from Wales when his daughter was four years old, died in Adelaide on Saturday aged 83.

A published funeral notice says Mr Gillard was a "humble man" who wanted to donate his body to science.

It says there will be no formal service, at Mr Gillard's request.

People wishing to honour his memory have been asked to donate to his favourite charity, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders).

Ms Gillard said on the weekend that her father, who worked as a psychiatric nurse, lived a long and full life.

"My father was my inspiration. He taught me that nothing comes without hard work and demonstrated to me what hard work meant.

"He taught me to be passionate about fairness. He taught me to believe in Labor and in trade unionism.

"But above all, he taught me to love learning and to understand its power to change lives. I will miss him for the rest of my life."

Ms Gillard is spending the week at home in Adelaide with her mother Moira.

Treasurer Wayne Swan is acting as prime minister in her place.