Office of Medical Education
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Anatomical Donations Program Office of Medical Education |
Table of Contents
The Importance of Body Donation
Anatomy, the study of the structure of the human body, is one of the most important courses in the education of physicians, dentists, and other health professionals such as nurses and physical therapists. In most of these fields, the study of anatomy comes first in the curriculum and serves as the foundation for other courses. Often after finishing their basic anatomy course, students take special or advanced anatomy studies. In addition, physicians in residency training and those in practice often pursue special courses in anatomy. At the rate at which medical science is advancing, it is increasingly necessary for physicians and other biomedical scientists to conduct special anatomical studies and research. Anatomical bequests are greatly appreciated as each contributes directly to new understandings. The support from the general public and medical, dental, legal, and mortuary science professions is appreciated.
Body Donations and the Law
As a result of these basic and expanding needs in medical education and research, the need for body donations remains critical. Fortunately, many individuals have recognized and understood these needs and have bequeathed their bodies. In response to public interest in making these contributions to medical science, state legislatures have enacted laws to support such generosity.
In 1958, Michigan state officials facilitated body donation by individuals for the purpose of medical education. In 1969, the "Uniform Anatomical Gift Act" clarified the provisions of the previous act and provided uniformity with other states.
Body Donation Procedures
The medical schools at The University of Michigan, Wayne State University, and Michigan State University are designated by state law to receive bodies, and donation can be made to the medical school of choice. To donate your body, simply complete a gift form and have it witnessed. You can print the gift form from your web browser. Send a signed copy to the Anatomical Donations Program and retain a copy for your records. On receipt of your completed form, a wallet card will be sent to you. The signing and witnessing of the gift form registers you with our program. The next step is to contract with your selected funeral home to complete the remaining arrangements for donation.
The executed gift form constitutes a legal will that may be amended or revoked upon request. The gift becomes effective immediately upon death but is subject to the conditions at the time of death, and acceptance by the Anatomical Donations Program.
It is always advisable for the next of kin or responsible member of your family to know of your bequest so that it may be carried out at the time of death. The reading of a will or the discovery of the gift form may come too late to accommodate your wishes.
Release of Medical Records
As an aid in the study of a body, it is necessary to have access to the medical records of the deceased. So that we may obtain a copy of pertinent medical records, we ask that you provide a statement of release to each hospital, doctor, or other health care provider who will have cared for you in the event of major illness or surgery. If the facility or provider does not have a standard release form, please click here for a printable form.
Organ Donation
Many individuals wish to donate eyes, tissues and organs for transplantation as well as their whole body to the Anatomy Department. The donation of organs usually does not affect whole body donation, but the acceptability of the body after organs are removed will be determined by the Anatomical Donations Program in accordance with individual conditions and circumstances pertaining at the time of death. The donation of organs/tissues for transplantation takes precedence over whole body donation if both types of donations are made.
Information concerning tissue and organ donation can be obtained by contacting:
The Michigan Eye Bank
4889 Venture Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
Phone: (734) 780-2100
1-800-247-7250Gift of Life
2203 Platt Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Phone: (734) 973-1577
1-800-482-4881Respect for the Donor
Survivors may derive comfort from the knowledge that respect for those who have donated their bodies is maintained at all times. The indispensable contribution that body donors have made is fully recognized. The teaching laboratories are situated in a restricted area and only medical and dental students, faculty, staff, or other students of the health professions are authorized to use the facility.Procedure at the Time of Death
At the time of death, a funeral home must be contracted and advised to contact the Anatomical Donations Program, University of Michigan Medical School, (734) 764-4359, to determine if the body is acceptable and for instructions regarding donation of the body. Anatomical Donations staff members are available outside of normal business hours if necessary.
If death occurs at a considerable distance from the University of Michigan Medical School, transportation costs, legal issues, and potential deterioration of the deceased usually do not allow for the delivery of the body to the University. However, it may be possible to donate the body to a nearby medical school. Our web site (www.med.umich.edu/anatomy/donors/) has links to other anatomical donations programs in the U.S. A funeral director can assist your survivors in making arrangements for delivery to an alternate institution.
Disposition of Remains and the Memorial Service
Following the study of the body, the remains are cremated. It is possible for ashes to be returned to the donor's family or a funeral director for private burial. Request for the return of the ashes must be made in writing at the time the body is transported to the Medical School, or shortly thereafter.
If the next of kin requests the ashes to be buried at the University of Michigan, the deceased will be interred in the University of Michigan burial plot located at the Washtenong Memorial Park approximately two miles north of Ann Arbor. A graveside memorial service is held for donors each fall. Medical students are involved with all aspects of the ceremony. Family and friends of all donors are invited; close to 1,000 people attend each year to share memories and help with the healing process.
Maps to Washtenong Memorial Park are available.
The Memorial Service was written about in Medicine at Michigan and the University RECORD.
Photos of the Memorial Service at Washtenong Memorial Park, 2004
Photos of the Memorial Service at Washtenong Memorial Park, 2003
Photos of the Memorial Service at Washtenong Memorial Park, 2002Contact the Anatomical Donations Program
Anatomical Donations Program
3767 Medical Science Building II
University of Michigan Medical School
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0608
Phone: (734) 764-4359
Fax: (734) 763-6523
Email: donorinfo@umich.edu
Online Information Request FormFrequently Asked Questions
Q. Are there any conditions which would invalidate my donation?A. Emaciation or obesity, extensive burns, mutilation, advanced decomposition, or a history of contagious diseases (hepatitis, AIDS, Jacob-Kreutzfeld, tuberculosis, MRSA, VRE, etc.) are the major reasons we cannot accept a donor. It should be understood that determination of the acceptability of a body for donation can only be made at the time of death, since the cause of death may render the donation unusable for study. To avoid undue grief and disappointment to members of your family, they should be made aware of these conditions.
Q. Can a person be too old to donate his or her body?
A. No. Age is not a consideration in body donation. Only the conditions described above may make a donation unacceptable.
Q. Will my family receive a report of your findings?
A. No. Since we do not conduct autopsies, no reports are prepared. Bodies are used mainly in basic medical education and no record of pathological findings is kept by students.
Q. Is it likely that my body will be used in research studying a disease that I have?
A. Generally not. Any research done would be according to the specific needs of a researcher.
Q. How long will it be before my body is used and cremated?
A. While some donors may be used immediately and cremated within one or two months after delivery, most are cremated within 18 months. A donor may also choose to permanently donate her or his body.
Q. Can my family receive the ashes?
A. Yes, if written instructions are given to us shortly after delivery of the body. Ashes buried in our cemetery plot will not be exhumed.
Q. Is there a memorial service for the donors?
A. Yes. The University of Michigan Medical School conducts an annual memorial burial service commemorating donors. Family members will be notified of the date, time, and place of the burial service.
Q. Can individual markers be purchased?
A. Yes. You or your family should make arrangements directly with Washtenong Memorial Park. All costs are the responsibility of the donor or the family.
Q. May my family have a funeral service before my body is delivered to the Medical School?
A. Yes. However, the funeral director must first contact our office, since failure to follow allowable procedures could prevent the intended donation.
Q. What is permanent donation?
A. A donor may choose to donate his or her body without any restriction as to the length of time that the body may be used. Permanently donated bodies may be used for educational or research purposes that require an extended length of time. Consequently, the ashes of permanent donors will not be returned to the family. Eventually, the body will be cremated and the ashes will be interred in the University of Michigan Anatomical Donations Program memorial service.
Q. Will I or my family be paid a fee for a body donation?
A. No. The state anatomical law requires that the body be a gift to the recipient institution.
Q. Who is responsible for the costs of transportation of my body to the University of Michigan Medical School?
A. Transportation costs are the responsibility of your family or estate. Your next of kin should make arrangements with a local funeral home.
Q. Is it possible for an ambulance service or even my family to deliver my body to the Medical School?
A. No, state law requires both a licensed funeral director and a burial transit permit to accompany the donor when delivery occurs at the Medical School. The University of Michigan also requires the funeral director to provide copies of the death certificate and release forms from the family. The University requires all donors to be transported in a professional, ethical manner in vehicles equipped with proper mortuary transportation systems.
Q. Will your department accept my body if I die out-of-state?
A. Because of transportation costs, legal issues, and potential deterioration of the body, we recommend that your body be donated to a medical school in the area where death occurs. We can normally accept your body, however, if you meet the physical and health criteria and your family wishes to make the arrangements, bear the cost, and ensure a prompt delivery.
Q. What if I should die on a weekend or holiday?
A. Your family or the funeral director should call (734) 764-4359 promptly for instructions, so that a determination of acceptability and other arrangements can be made as soon as possible. In case of difficulty, please call a university operator at (734) 764-1817.
Q. Is it necessary to include my body donation in my will?
A. No, because a will may not be read in time for delivery of the body to the university. It is more important to have these instructions readily available on a wallet donation card or donation form and have your next of kin be aware of your intentions.
Q. Will my body be used for teaching or research?
A. Most bodies are used to teach medical and dental students, and in the continuing education programs. A small number of bodies are used to teach students in allied health fields such as nursing and physical therapy. Some bodies are used for research, primarily by surgeons to study new operative techniques.
Q. What is meant on the donation form by "permanent preservation" of an organ or part for teaching purposes?
A. An organ or part from a body may be so unusual (such as an abnormally developed, or diseased organ or part), or so useful for teaching purposes that it is desirable to preserve it so that more than one group of students may study it. Such an organ can be "plastinated" so that it may be used over and over without deterioration.
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