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Willed Body Program

Frequently Asked Questions

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Q: How do I will my body to science?
A: Call The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Medical School at (713) 500-5603 and request that we send body donation forms to you. Upon receipt, complete the forms, have it witnessed, and return the originals to the Medical School.

Q: Do you accept a body which has been autopsied?
A: No. It is not a good teaching specimen for the study of human anatomy. However, sometimes we have a special project in progress that allows us to accept the donation. Therefore, you would have to call us at the time of death to determine whether we could accept an autopsied body.

Q: If I am signed up with an organ donation center, can I still donate my body to science?
A: No. We will not accept a body after the organs are removed for transplantation. You may, however, register with both organizations so that at the time of death if the organs are not usable for transplantation, you may be able to donate the whole body to our institution. We want the body to be in the best possible condition for our anatomical teaching and research. To remove an organ for transplantation would cause the body to be unusable for instruction purposes.

Q: When a person dies, what does the family do?
A: At the time of death, the family will call our Anatomical Call Pager at (713) 760-2649. Let them know that a pre-willed arrangement was made by the deceased, or that the nearest surviving relative wishes to make a donation to our Medical School.

Q: What if I live outside of Houston city limits, will we still pick up the body?
A: Yes. We will provide for transportation of the body from any point; however, the Medical School will assume the cost for transportation within a 300 mile radius of the Medical School at 6431 Fannin Street Houston, Texas 77030. Anything outside that 300 mile radius would be the responsibility of the family or estate. Payment for mileage beyond the 300 miles should be made at the time the body is removed.

Q: Will the body need to be embalmed?
A: No. We prefer to do the embalming ourselves at our facility; however, if a body is already embalmed, we can still accept it if the embalming meets our specifications.

Q: When would a body be unacceptable for donations?
A: We would not accept a registered donor’s body for The Willed Body Program if the body has been severely injured in an accident, if a highly contagious disease such as hepatitis, jaundice, VD, TB or AIDS, was present at the time of death, if the body is obese or emaciated or if the body is too large for storage purposes. We will not accept a body that has had organs removed for transplant.

Q: Can a body be donated for specific disease research?
A: No. The primary use of the cadavers is for medical education. We do not accept bodies to ascertain the cause of death or for specific disease research.

Q: Are there age restrictions for body donation?
A: We do not accept infants or children.

Q: What do you do with the body and how long do you keep it?
A: The bodies are used in the teaching of anatomy to medical students, and for special projects concerning specific parts of the body. The bodies are housed at our facility for 2 years or more.

Q: What do you do with the remains when you are finished?
A: The Medical School cremates the remains. The cremation is performed at no cost to the family or estate. However, the cremains may be returned to a designated person upon request. There is a fee for return of the cremains. The cremains will be held for at least 90 days following notification by mail that the cremains are available for return, and thereafter scattered at sea.

Q: Is the family notified that a body is being cremated?
A: No. A large number of cadavers are used for the fall semester of Gross Anatomy. The semester ends prior to the Holiday season. We feel it best not to contact the family during the Holiday Season. However, as stated above, you will be notified when the cremains are available for return.

Q: How does one cancel a body donation?
A: Written notification to our office is requested, but not necessary. If the Medical School does not receive notification of the death of a donor, we would not know to remove the body.

Q: Should a notation be in the will of someone donating his/her body?
A: Yes. Doing so would emphasize your desire to make the donation; an attorney could clarify questions of this nature.

Q: In the event that someone dies and hasn't filled out the proper documentation prior to death, can their body still be donated by a relative or next of kin?
A: Yes. The nearest surviving relative or next of kin would then fill out the After Death Donation Form. The State Anatomical Board of Texas defines the next of kin in priority order as follows:

1. Spouse
2. If no living spouse, an adult son or daughter
3. If no living spouse or adult son or daughter, then either living parent
4. If no living spouse, adult son or daughter or either parent, then an adult brother or sister.

Note: If (d) applies, the Medical School requires a notarized affidavit indicating that the person signing the donation papers is legally the next of kin due to the absence of relatives listed in a through c.

If you have additional questions about the program, please call The Willed Body Program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Medical School.

John D. Concha
Coordinator, Willed Body Program
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
6431 Fannin Suite 7.046
Houston, Texas 77030
713-500-5603 Phone
713-500-0522 Fax
713-716-4414 Pager
john.d.concha@uth.tmc.edu E-Mail
7137164414@archwireless.net Alpha Page Text Messaging

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