WHO MAY DONATE: Any person over the age of 18 may donate their body to the
Division of Anatomy. The department will not accept the
body of a person under the age of 18. The department reserves the right to refuse
a body that: a) has been autopsied; b) has been embalmed; c) has contracted
a communicable disease; or d) for other reasons cannot be used.
COST TO THE FAMILY AND THE DIVISION OF ANATOMY:
Although there is no payment made for a body, there is no charge from the department
for the acceptance of a body donation. Any charges for funeral home services
are the responsibility of the family or estate. The Ohio State University College
of Medicine and Public Health will cover the cost of cremation after completion
of the anatomical studies. If the family wishes the cremains sent back to them,
there will be a $125 charge.
USE OF DONATION: Since the Division of Anatomy and
the College of Medicine are concerned primarily with producing well-educated
health professionals, bodies that are donated to the department are used for
teaching or research purposes. However, the department does not receive or provide
reports regarding studies on anatomical donations.
HOW TO DONATE: Donation of your body to the Division of Anatomy can be made by completing an Anatomical Bequeathal Form and a cremation
authorization from this department. After the forms are signed and witnessed,
return the white copy to the department and you will receive a letter of acknowledgement
and a uniform donor card. You may designate to have the cremains returned after
our studies are completed by indicating such on the form. Please note that we
cannot foresee how long the anatomical studies will take. It may be two weeks
or longer than two years before cremains can be returned. Families are notified
in advance when the cremains are to be sent. If you do not wish to have the
cremains returned, the department will be responsible for final disposition.
PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW AT TIME OF DEATH: When a donor's death occurs, the
family or family representative must contact a local funeral home to make arrangements
for transportation of the body to the department. It is important that the funeral
home contact the department before transporting the body for the following reasons:
1) To ascertain if donation forms are on file. If not, the funeral home must
bring authorization forms with the body.
2) To ensure that the body has not been autopsied or embalmed, and is acceptable.
3) To affirm that the funeral home will provide a burial transit permit and
a copy of the death certificate.
4) To complete transportation arrangements.
OUT-OF-STATE DONATIONS: Due to state and university regulations, Division of Anatomy does not accept out-of-state bequeathals. In
the event that death occurs while traveling outside the state of Ohio, our office
can provide the family with a listing of medical colleges within the state where
death occurred. Should the nearest medical school refuse to accept the body
for any reason, disposition of the body would become the responsibility of the
family or estate. In addition, if you spend extended time in another state (vacationing,
visiting relatives, etc.), we suggest that you register as a donor in that state
as well. Please be sure that both programs are informed of your arrangements
so the institution receiving your bequeathal may inform the other at the time
of death.
MEMORIAL SERVICE: Each year, a memorial service is held to acknowledge
the donors and thank the families and friends of those who have given so others
might learn. Families will be notified of the time and place of the memorial
service.
ORGAN DONATION: The department accepts donations of the entire body only.
If you are interested in organ donations, you should contact the following:
Lifeline of Ohio Procurement Program Phone:614-291-5667
770 Kinnear Rd.
Columbus, OH 43212
Central Ohio Lions Eye Bank
Phone:614-293-8114
456 W. 10th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210
Potential donors may register with both programs; however, surviving family
members have the final decision regarding organ donation or complete body donation.
The department does not accept bodies that have had organs removed for transplant
after death.
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Division of Anatomy
279 Hamilton Hall
1645 Neil Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210-1239
Phone: 614-292-4831 (24 hours) Fax: 614-292-7659
