Frequently Asked Questions

• Individuals 18 years or older
• Individuals who are New York State residents within a 100-mile radius of the University at Buffalo South Campus
• Individuals who do not have a known history of infectious disease

1. First step is to complete a program application packet and submit it to the Anatomical Gift Program office. When you have sent in the packet please ensure that your next of kin, emergency contact or estate lawyer knows your wish to donate as well as your back up plan.
2. Once the application is processed we will send a wallet card indicating registration in the Anatomical Gift Program.  Acceptance as a donor into the program is determined at the time of death.
3. Please note that being a donor on your automobile license will not enable you to donate your body to our program, that is for organ donation.

The Declaration of Consent form authorizes the UB Anatomical Gift Program to accept the gift. It is not a legally binding contract regardless of when enrollment took place.

There is minimal expense with the anatomical gift program. Each donor family will bear the expense of certified copies of the death certificates obtained from the town clerk where the donor passed away. This fee is paid directly by the family to the town clerk's office.

In some cases where a family must utilize a funeral home for the removal of the donor from their place of passing, the family will bear the expense of the removal and potentially storage fees from the funeral home of their choosing. These fees vary by funeral home and are never reimbursed by the anatomical gift program.

No. The Unified Anatomical Gift Act specifically prohibits the giving of "anything of value" in return for a bequeathal or donation of organs or bodies. This means that no cash payment can be made to a donor or to survivors. 

You certainly can change your mind at any time by contacting the Anatomical Gift Program.

Donors will teach future doctors, dentists and nurse practitioners and others will be leading research on new surgical techniques and orthopedic implantations. At any given time there are many different classes and research projects taking  place. Donors may also be part of training our local first responders. Unfortunately, we do not give more detail or a report of any kind for the donors.

Donors are part of varying timelines regarding research and teaching. Some may be home as promptly as two months while others may be enrolled for up to three years before heading home. In some cases, the program may reach out to your loved ones asking if you would like to be a forever gift to keep teaching for many years to come.

Please review our time of death procedures.

The remains of all bodies are cremated after our studies are completed. Donors have two options for interment of their ashes:

1. Skinnerville Cemetery. UB maintains a burial site on the grounds of the North Campus. There is no charge for this option. Our program holds an annual memorial service to honor these donors.
2. Ashes may be returned to the next of kin, a friend of the donor or to a cemetery of your choice, provided arrangements have been made with that cemetery ahead of time. The recipient of the ashes will be notified by mail two weeks prior to delivery. The ashes are placed in a receptacle inside a cardboard container and shipped by certified mail.

Arrangements for memorial services, death notice, notification to Social Security, insurance  claims, and/or Veteran's Administration are the responsibility of the family and/or friends.

In some cases contacting a funeral home to perform the removal from the place of death will also be the responsibility of the family.

If you should change your name or address, please notify the department as soon as possible at 716-829-2913, or complete the Name/ Address Change Request form.

A new wallet card will be mailed to you.