Instructions to Survivors of Donors

• The University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program should be notified of a donor's death as soon as possible, please telephone 612-625-1111 during all hours of the day.
  
  
• Survivors should be aware that even though their loved one was registered as a potential donor to the University of Minnesota, Anatomy Bequest Program, that certain events before or shortly after death may make their body unsuitable for participation in the Program. (See "General Information" section.)
  
  
• If the University of Minnesota, Anatomy Bequest Program declines or refuses the bequest or donation of an individual, it is the survivor's obligation to make final arrangements. Survivors may wish to make funeral pre-arrangements with their local funeral director in the event the Anatomy Bequest Program is not able to accept the body of the donor if the donor is unable to make funeral pre-arrangements for themselves.
  
  
• If the University of Minnesota Anatomy Bequest Program accepts the bequest 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.
  
  
• Survivors may request visitation and funeral services with their loved one's body present at their local funeral home. The Anatomy Bequest Program will not assume the cost of services requested by survivors at local funeral homes. Following the survivor's visitation/funeral service the Anatomy Bequest Program will embalm the donor's body and retain it for educational and scientific studies. Studies generally last 18 months. Viewing of the body, once it has been transferred to the University of Minnesota, is not possible.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• Survivors 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. The laboratories are restricted. Only faculty, staff, or students of health-related professions are authorized to use of our facility.
  
  
• The University has a comprehensive oversight program. The director,  assistant director, and all full-time program staff are funeral directors licensed by the state and they must comply with laws regulating the care of human bodies. Our director and assistant director report to the dean of the medical school.
  
  We've instituted a number of safeguards to make sure bodies are handled with appropriate respect. The Anatomy Bequest Program Proposal Review Committee evaluates requests for all uses of human bodies, and staff members regularly participate in and monitor all studies. An additional committee consisting of a medical doctor, former assistant dean, departmental head, bioethicist, anatomy professor, and a donor family member counsel and review the Proposal Review Committee policies.  State law prohibits selling bodies or body parts, and the University has a number of safe guards in place to make sure that we comply with all laws, rules and regulations.

Please note: No formal report or findings pertaining to our studies
will be released by the Anatomy Bequest Program.