General Information

We appreciate your interest in the possibility of bequeathing your body to the University of Minnesota's Anatomy Bequest Program. It is through the generosity of individuals like yourself that allow us to ensure the education of future generations of health professionals. Without these donations to the Program, the study and research of human anatomy, and surgical/clinical advances would not be possible.

The University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program is a total body donation program. The Program will provide body bequeathal information and forms to any individual who is of sound mind, eighteen years of age, and desires to give his or her body to the University of Minnesota Medical School upon death.

If an individual is unable, or should fail to complete the bequest forms prior to his or her death, it may be possible for the next-of-kin to donate their loved one's body by completing and signing the body donation forms supplied by the Anatomy Bequest Program at the time of death.

Acceptance

Under the terms of the Minnesota Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, the University of Minnesota has the right to accept or reject a donor's remains dependent upon the needs of the University and medical acceptability of the donor at the time of death.

The Anatomy Bequest Program reserves the right to decline, or refuse, individuals for the following reasons:

Individuals who:

• have infectious or contagious diseases (such as HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B or C, or Prion diseases, etc.)
• have a family member who objects to the bequeathal of their body to the Program
• If the body is not acceptable for the purposes of anatomical study

It is very important to note that while you may have registered as a donor to our Program, we may have to refuse or decline acceptance of your body based on any of the previously stated reasons that may have occurred subsequent to your registration to the Anatomy Bequest Program. If the Anatomy Bequest Program declines or refuses the bequeathal or donation of an individual, it then becomes the family's obligation to make final arrangements.

If the University of Minnesota accepts the bequeathal or donation of an individual's body by a family member, the Anatomy Bequest Program will arrange for transportation of the body from the place of death to the University at the Anatomy Bequest Program's expense. This pertains only to individuals who die in the State of Minnesota.

The bodies of donors will be embalmed and utilized in educational and scientific studies. Studies generally last 18 months, but may be completed either earlier or later. Viewing of the individual is not possible at the University of Minnesota.

Memorial Service

Each year the University of Minnesota Medical School students coordinate an interfaith memorial service to publicly recognize the donors who have generously donated themselves to ensure the education of future generations of health professionals. Faculty, staff and students attend and participate in this service to publicly express their appreciation to the donors and their families. Family members will be invited to attend this service if they choose to be notified.

Donors and their families may derive comfort from the knowledge that dignity and respect for those who have donated their bodies is maintained at all times. The indispensable contribution that participants in the Anatomy Bequest Program have made is fully recognized.