Body Donation Program

What are the restrictions to donate my body to Ohio State College of Medicine?

While each pre-registered donor who completes the registration form is normally accepted, final acceptance isn’t determined until time of death. We encourage each donor to make alternative arrangements in case their donation is not accepted.

The program reserves the right to exclude your donation, including, but not limited to, these reasons:

• Contagious or infectious disease (including, but not limited to, COVID‐19 and variants, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, tuberculosis (TB), MRSA/VRE, C‐diff, meningitis, bacterial pneumonia and CJD/vCJD)
• Extreme emaciation or obesity (a donor must weigh at least 80 lbs. and no more than 215 lbs. and have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 16 but not more than 33) at the time of death
• Extreme ascites (accumulation of fluid in the abdomen) or edema (fluid trapped in the body’s tissues)
• Severe, permanent contractures of the extremities (e.g., the arms or legs drawn close to the body, body in the fetal position)
• Severe trauma or open wounds (e.g., fractures, lacerations, gangrene)
• Recent surgeries that are still healing or death that has occurred during surgery
• A body that has been autopsied or embalmed
• Organs or tissue donated at the time of death (except the eyes)
• Death occurs outside the state of Ohio
• Current needs of education, training and/or research programs for donors

The program cannot determine a donor’s eligibility until the time of death, as health conditions may change from time of enrollment to the person’s passing. If an individual is not accepted into the program, the next of kin (or appointed agent) will be responsible for making alternate arrangements with a funeral home at their expense.

Can my family have a funeral service before donation?

Due to the nature of the donation program, it is not possible for families to hold a traditional funeral service with embalming or viewing after death. We encourage families to hold a memorial service to honor and pay tribute to their loved ones, as these events provide comfort and support while aiding in the grieving process.

Will I be paid for this donation?

No. By law, medical schools are not allowed to give money or purchase a body for donation.

Are there costs associated with body donation?

For all donors accepted into the program, we will cover the following expenses: transporting the donor’s remains from the place of death to the program (within the state of Ohio), the death certificate preparation and filing fee, the donor’s cremation and the return (or interment) of the cremated remains. Any other desired services (e.g., purchasing certified copies of the death certificate or submitting an obituary to a newspaper) are at the expense of the donor’s next of kin or estate. We encourage each donor to make alternative arrangements with a funeral home in case their donation is not accepted.

May I donate my organs?

Potential donors may register with both the organ donation and body donation programs. However, you may only participate in one program. If your organs are viable for transplantation, the local organ donation program will be contacted and will recover your organs for transplant. If not, we will be contacted and will determine if you meet the donation requirements.

How long are donors in the Body Donation Program?

Donors can be part of the program for up to two years. Once the education, training and/or research has been completed, the donors are cremated at the program’s expense.

Will my family receive a report about my cause of death?

No. There are no autopsies performed and no pathological reports are prepared. Because many of the students are in their first year of training, they are not at a level of expertise to discern the cause of death. The students will, however, be provided a cause of death (as determined by the donor’s doctor) and pertinent medical history to enable them to see the effects of a disease.

Does the program accept out-of-state donations?

The Body Donation Program does not accept out-of-state donations. In the event that death occurs while traveling outside the state of Ohio, our office can provide the family with a list 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 the donor’s estate. Alternatively, 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.

Will I ever be too old for the Body Donation Program?

While there is no upper age limit, we do not accept persons under the age of 18 years.

How else can I support the Body Donation Program? Can I make a monetary donation?

Monetary donations can be made to honor the memory of a donor or to support the program’s initiatives. Donations are deposited into an Anatomy Teaching Fund account to support teaching efforts.

Please make checks payable to:
The Ohio State University

Mail checks to:
The Division of Anatomy
Body Donation Program
440-L Hamilton Hall
1645 Neil Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210

How can I get in touch with the program?

Phone: 614-292-4831
Fax: 614-292-7659
Email: BodyDonor@osumc.edu

May I withdraw from the Body Donation Program?

You may withdraw your registration at any time by sending a signed and dated letter or email to the program. You will be notified in writing that we have removed your name from the program’s database.