The Process For Donating Your Body To Science

The process for donating body to science with the BioGift program is very simple. It was designed not only to maximize your donation, but also to make the process of donation as straightforward as possible for your loved ones or next-of-kin. You may be asking yourself, “How does one donate their body to science?” Our typical donation procedure is described below, and is also outlined in the flow chart.

How Does One Donate Their Body To Science?

Body donation for medical research and education is becoming more popular for people wanting an alternative to funeral or cremation costs. They may wonder “How do I donate my body to medical science?” The process begins with requesting our pre-registration forms and information. You can visit our Get Started page to request a package by mail or download the PDF packet. Your decision to donate your body to science as one of the alternatives to funeral services should be made after you are well-informed and have discussed your wishes with your next-of-kin. If you have questions not answered on our website, please visit our contact page to send us an email or call us.

How Does One Donate Their Body To Science When Death Is Near?

If a loved one is near death or on hospice, call us at 866-670-1799 24 hours a day to discuss your options.

The Donation Process

Once you made your wishes known and pre-registered, then nothing else is necessary until your death, at which time your next-of-kin should contact BioGift immediately. Please let your next of kin know if you are placed on hospice or go into the hospital with an illness or situation that could cause your death, contact us immediately.

A representative from BioGift will go through a medical and social interview with the family or next-of-kin to determine if the donor can be accepted into the program.

If the donor qualifies for our program, we will arrange for transport to BioGift’s facility.

Finishing The Donation Process

The donation process takes approximately eight to twelve weeks to conclude. By this time, the family or next-of-kin will have received the cremated remains, and two certified copies of the death certificate. BioGift will then send the family or next-of-kin follow up correspondence about donation, and your last charitable effort will be finished.
If you want to know even more about funeral alternatives like body donation for medical research, visit our Get Started page for more information, or call us at (866) 670-1799, 24 hours a day.

The Process Step-By-Step at Time of Death Death is confirmed.

1. Death is confirmed and reported to hospice care facility or emergency personnel.
2. BioGift is contacted by caregiver, family or hospice representative.
3. BioGift performs a Medical and Social questionnaire regarding the potential donation with family, hospice worker, nurse or physician at time of death. Acceptability will be determined at that time.
4. Once accepted arrangements are made for transporting donor to BioGift's facilities. We use professional funeral providers for these services.
5. Blood is drawn from the donor to test for infectious diseases.
6. Recovery of tissues is matched with medical researchers and educators requests.
7. Remaining tissues, after recoveries, are sent to a licensed crematory for cremation at no cost to you.
8. Cremated remains are mailed by US Registered mail to the specified person or the cemetery on the cremation authorization. If you live within 30 miles of BioGift we can deliver to specified person or cemetery. If requested BioGift will scatter at sea with other donors.
9. Within four weeks, depending on what State and County the death occurred in, two certified death certificates will be mailed to the family.
10. BioGift will send the family follow-up correspondence regarding donation.