FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING ANATOMICAL DONATION

What is the procedure for dedicating a body for anatomical study?

Anyone eighteen years of age or older who is of sound mind may dedicate their body for study by completing the forms and returning the original to this office

Are any costs involved in the donation of one's body?

Yes, the costs are $750.00. We provide the following services: transportation from site of death; special preservation procedures; maintenance, cremation and interment or return of ashes. Pre-paid donors that are not donated for any reasons will be refunded their prepayment.

Why are there charges for a donation?

Because many of our donors have not made alternate arrangements for burial at the time of their death, we have made a promise to accept all pre-registered donors regardless of their condition for a fee of $750.00. Unlike many institutions, we do not refuse acceptance of a pre-registered donor at time of death even when the body may not be useful for anatomical study.  The base charge of $750.00 will not be subject to increase at any time in the future.

When are these charges due?

The costs may be prepaid or paid within 90 days of the date of death.  If there is a reason that payment cannot be paid during this period, notification in writing or by telephone should be made.

Does the Program file claim for recovery of costs?

Our staff cannot become involved in insurance claims. 

Should the dedication be filed with my will?

In most instances, the will is not read until several days after the donor's death.  Because of our limited time constraints, it is important that the donor's next-of-kin are made aware of his/her wishes at the time of registration and that they notify the program immediately death occurs.

Who files the obituary?

A family member, power of attorney, or executor is responsible for handling the obituary. We will provide the obituaries department with a confirmation of death fax. This speeds up the process for getting the obituary filed.  

Who files for social security death benefits?

A family member, power of attorney, or executor is responsible for handling the filing for social security death benefits. We will complete the SSA-721 and fax it to your case worker after you or the case worker provides us with the fax number.

Will you accept a body from which other donations have been given?

The body should have all vital organs intact (brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver).  However, if the donor has arranged to donate his/her brain to the UAB Brain Resource Program for study, we should be informed at the time the dedication forms are submitted.  We cannot accept bodies from which other vital organs are removed for transplantation purposes.  When possible, we also prefer to receive bodies with the corneas present.  The donors are studied by future ophthalmologists and optometrists who require that the eyes to be intact for effective study.

If I donate my body to the program, will I need the services of a funeral home for any reason?

It is not necessary to use a funeral home when donating a body. In some cases, however, the family members do wish to have a funeral home involved in the transportation of the body. The family is responsible for any additional costs in these situations.

Will it be possible to have a funeral for the deceased?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to hold a viewing or conduct a funeral for the donor due to the time constraints.  However, most families hold a memorial services for loved ones shortly after the donation. Students usually have a donor memorial service to honor the donors each year.  

What happens to the body after the Anatomical Donor Program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham receives it?

The body is prepared for long-term study up to approximately one year.  Students who are preparing to enter the health professions will study these bodies in the gross anatomy laboratory.  On occasion, we will use bodies for therapeutic research purposes. 

How is the body disposed of after studies are completed?

Following anatomical study and in keeping with Alabama law, the body must be cremated. The administrator performs cremations. The ashes (remains) may be returned to the family or interred in the Meditation Garden at Cook Springs. Family members must confirm that the ashes are to be returned after the death of a donor by completing the ashes disposition form and mailing it back to our office. The interment sites are not individually marked. There is one single granite stone acknowledging the gifts of the donors located in the cemetery area as well as all who have donated for medical education and research.   

What arrangements would my family have to make to visit the Cook Springs cemetery?

The family may contact the administrator and arrange for the cemetery gates to be unlocked. Visitation is on certain weekends only.  The directions to the cemetery and visitation instructions are included with this package.

May the donor request a program in which he/she wishes to be studied?

Unless arrangements have been made with the donor's physician, we cannot agree to accept a donor for a specific project.  In special cases, donation arrangements are made through our office to accommodate the request.  For example, the Anatomical Donor Program and the Department of Neurology's Alzheimer and Parkinson Programs work as a team with potential brain donors and total-willed body donors.  Otherwise, it is our policy to use the cadavers as needed.

Will it be possible for my family to receive a report of medical findings or given details of the study the body was involved in?

We do not provide any reports concerning pathologic findings, cause of death or details of the specific studies that are conducted.

Will the body be studied at the University of Alabama at Birmingham?

The majority of our donors are used for studies at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  Occasionally we receive a request from health professionals outside UAB. If the request is approved, we supply a cadaver following assurances that:  1) the body will be kept in an appropriate and secured area; 2) the study is to be completed within a reasonable time frame and, 3) that the cadaver is a mandatory requirement of the study.  Following completion of the study, the body must be returned to UAB for cremation and disposition.

 Does the Anatomical Donor Program ever refuse to accept a body?

Total-willed body donors must be pre-registered with our program prior to death to assure acceptance at death.  The family should be made aware that if the donor dies due to an infectious disease such as HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease; is extremely obese or emaciated; has suffered a violent death; is a suicide victim or has had vital organs removed for transplantation purposes; the body will be cremated upon receipt.  All other requests for donation are considered on a case-by-case basis.  We reserve the right to refuse anyone who is not pre-registered. 

I travel a great deal, what if I should die outside the immediate area?

We recommend that the body be offered to the nearest medical school.  However, if the donor has specifically requested to be returned to Birmingham, all additional costs must be borne by the donor's estate.  Should a donor unexpectedly die out of state, an autopsy may be required depending upon the laws of that state, thus making the body unacceptable for study. Also expect delays with the filing of the death certificate if a donor dies out of state.

What happens if the donor moves to another state?

The donor should contact a medical school in that state to arrange for donation.

What if I change my mind?  May I withdraw my dedication?

Yes, by notifying this office in writing.