Once you determine if you are eligible, you first need to fill out the Program Application.
Keep one copy at home or at your lawyer's office. Due to legal restrictions, safe deposit boxes are not satisfactory.
Make sure someone else--your lawyer, your next of kin and/or your physician--has a photocopy of the form, so at least one other person is aware of your wishes.
Once you send the application to us, we will send you a wallet card indicating your registration in the Anatomical Gift Program. Acceptance into the program is determined at the time of death.
Please note that indicating your wishes to be a donor on your automobile license will not enable you to donate your body to our program. You must register in our program.
Notarization of the registration forms is not required.
The Declaration of Consent form authorizes the UB Anatomical Gift Program to accept the gift. It is not a legally binding contract.
No charges are made to the donor or next of kin for services offered. The university bears the expense of this program as part of its teaching and research mission.
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.
Most bodies are used to teach medical, dental and nursing students. Some are used for the continuing education program for physicians. Others are used in research programs conducted by UB faculty. A proportion of bodies is shared with other teaching institutions within the state who have the need for anatomical material.
Some bodies may be used immediately and cremated within one or two months after delivery, but most are cremated within approximately two years. Under some circumstances, this window of time may vary.
A physician will make the pronouncement of death and will sign the death certificate.
Your family should contact our office at 716-829-2913. A hospital, nursing home, nurse or other professional may also contact our office. We cannot accept a body if we are not contacted within 48 hours of the presumed time of death.
The program's funeral director will be notified, a screening will be done via phone to determine if the donation can be accepted and if so, arrangements for transportation to the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences will be made.
The remains of all bodies are cremated after our studies are completed. Donors have two options for interment of their ashes:
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.
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.