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:
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
770 Kinnear Rd.
Columbus, OH 43212
Phone: 614-291-5667
Central Ohio Lions Eye Bank
456 W. 10th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210
Phone: 614-293-8114
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 more information please contact:
Division of Anatomy
279 Hamilton Hall
1645 Neil Avenue
Columbus, OH 43210-1239
Phone: 614-292-4831 (24 hours) Fax: 614-292-7659