Welcome

Thank you for your interest in the Anatomy Bequest Program at the University of Minnesota. We are a whole body donation program. Our purpose is to support medical research and education for health professionals by facilitating the donation process. We are deeply grateful for the generosity and wisdom of whole body donors and their families. Anatomical donation supports high quality education for future health professionals and continued advancements in medical care through research.

The contents of this page are as follows:

Requirements for donation
Donor Suitability
When a Death Occurs in Minnesota
When a Death Occurs Outside of Minnesota
Anatomy Memorial Service
 

Requirements For Donation

The Anatomy Bequest Program accepts donations in the form of signed donation authorizations from individuals who are of sound mind and are at least 18 years of age. There is no upper age limit. If you wish to complete a donation form for yourself, click here: Anatomy Bequest Program Donation Form

If the donor is medically unable to complete an authorization form or if the death has already occurred, the next of kin or authorizing person may be able to donate their loved one’s body by submitting a signed Next of Kin/Authorizing Person Donation Form.

Donor Suitability

Under the terms of the Minnesota Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, the Anatomy Bequest Program has the right to accept or decline a donation dependent upon the needs of the Anatomy Bequest Program and the medical and/or social history of the decedent at the time of death.

The Anatomy Bequest Program reserves the right to decline whole body donation for the following reasons:

• The individual has a disease such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, hepatitis C or a Prion disease
• The individual weighs over 300 pounds
• The individual has a family member who objects to the donation
• The condition or pathology of the remains precludes adequate and/or safe preparation, storage or study

If the Anatomy Bequest Program declines or refuses donation at the time of death, it becomes the responsibility of the next of kin/authorizing person to make final arrangements.

When a Death Occurs in Minnesota

When a death occurs within the state of Minnesota, 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.

The donor's body may be embalmed and will be used for teaching in an anatomy course and/or other scientific studies. Studies and/or courses can last an average of 18 months but may last as few as two months or up to two years. Viewing of donors is not possible at the University of Minnesota at any time.

When a Death Occurs Outside of Minnesota

If a death occurs outside of Minnesota, donation to the Anatomy Bequest Program may be possible depending of the anatomical gift laws in the state of death.

The donor’s estate and/or next of kin/ authorizing person is responsible for the out of state transportation and other funeral service expenses associated with whole body donation to University of Minnesota. These arrangements must be made with a funeral home. If a donor’s body has already been transported into Minnesota, the Anatomy Bequest Program will cover the expense of transporting the donor’s body from that location to the University of Minnesota.

Anatomy Memorial Service

Each year the University of Minnesota Allied Academic Health Center students coordinate a memorial service to publicly recognize the donors who have generously donated their bodies to ensure high quality education for 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.

We hope donors' families derive comfort from knowing we maintain dignity and respect for donors at all times. We fully recognize the indispensable contribution made by participants in the Anatomy Bequest Program.

For information about the upcoming Anatomy Memorial Service as well as an archive of previous year's Anatomy Memorial Services, click here: Anatomy Memorial Service

Contact Us

Anatomy Bequest Program
University of Minnesota
3-005 Nils Hasselmo Hall
312 Church Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455-0215

Office:612-625-1111
Fax: 612-625-1688
E-Mail:bequest@umn.edu
http://www.bequest.umn.edu