Making a Donation

For body donation, Mayo recommends a signed Anatomical Bequest to Mayo form. The form should be signed in the presence of two witnesses. It is a statement of intention only and can be cancelled at any time if desires or plans change. If such a change occurs, simply request to have the donation registration canceled.

The gift of whole-body donation is authorized by the individual, but the legal next of kin is responsible for carrying out the donor's wishes. If the next of kin opposes the donation, it won't take place. Mayo Clinic advises donors to notify their families of their intentions. Doctors should also be notified.

Body Donation Process

Mayo's process for receiving a body donation begins once the medical facility is notified of a donor's death. An administrator from the hospital or medical facility where death occurs will contact Mayo's donor program coordinator. The coordinator will review acceptance protocol to determine if the donation can be accepted. Once the donor passes the screening, the next of kin will be contacted to ascertain if body donation should proceed. Transportation of the body to Mayo Clinic will then be arranged.

If death does not occur in a medical facility, law enforcement personnel will be notified and a coroner will determine if an autopsy is necessary. After the body has been released to the family, Mayo Clinic will be notified and will proceed with the acceptance procedure.

Donors can have a funeral before their body is transported to Mayo Clinic. Mayo has body preparation instructions for funeral directors to follow so that the body remains intact for donation.

Typically, our studies are completed in nine to 15 months. Mayo Clinic will resomate for final disposition of the remains and will either return the ashes to the family or, at the family's request, inter the ashes in the Mayo vault at Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester. If traditional cremation or burial is the donor's wish, the donor's estate is responsible for the cost of the casket and all funeral expenses.

Criteria and Considerations for Donation

Age
Prospective donors shouldn't consider themselves too old for whole-body donations. Unlike most organ donation programs, age is rarely a factor in whole-body donations.

Whole-body Donation vs. Organ Donation
Traditionally, donors must choose between being an organ donor and whole-body donor. Mayo Clinic's whole-body program, however, evaluates each potential donor for both types of donations.

Specific Disease Study
Mayo doesn't accept bodies donated for study of specific diseases. Allowances are made to facilitate this type of request if a donor's primary physician or a specific disease researcher needs the body.

Denial of a Donation
Mayo Clinic can accept or reject a bequest. Rejection could occur if:

• The potential donor has an infectious or contagious disease (such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B or hepatitis C, or prion diseases, etc).
• next of kin objects to the donation of the body.
• The body is not acceptable for anatomical study (extremely emaciated or extremely obese).
• The body has been autopsied, mutilated, is decomposed or an organ or organs were donated (other than eye donation).
• The bequest could also be rejected if donations are not needed. Mayo Clinic encourages all potential donors to have an alternate plan in case the donation isn't accepted.

Payment
There is no payment for body donation, as explicitly detailed by law in every state. Mayo Clinic allows some funds to apply for transportation and funeral home reimbursement for a whole-body donation. Any expenses beyond our fund limit are the responsibility of the donor's estate. If the donor dies out of state, and the transportation cost to Mayo Clinic is prohibitive, the next of kin can contact the nearest medical school about making the donation there.

Making a Donation

If you decide to donate your body to Mayo Clinic, please complete the Anatomical Bequest to Mayo Clinic form. Please have two individuals witness your signature and return part one of the form to:

Mayo Clinic Department of Anatomy
Stabile Building 9-38
Rochester, MN 55905

Part two of the form is for your records and should be shared with those who will carry out your intentions at the time of your death. The form is a statement of intention only and can be cancelled at any time if desires or plans change. If such a change occurs, simply request to have the donation registration canceled by writing us at the address above. If you have questions, please contact the Department of Anatomy or call us at 507-284-2693.