Questions and Answers

The State Anatomical Program is especially sensitive to the needs of donors and their families, and committed to providing the respect they deserve.  We understand that you may have many reservations, questions and concerns about donation. The answers to many of these issues can be found below.  If you have other questions, please feel free to contact the State Anatomical Program directly at 804.786.2479.

1. What is the State Anatomical Program?

The State Anatomical Program, established in 1919, is the only agency in Virginia authorized to receive donations of human bodies for scientific study. Its purpose is to provide human remains for teaching anatomy and surgery and for medical research in the State's medical schools, colleges, universities and research facilities.

2. Why should I donate my body to science?

You give many gifts in your lifetime, but there is one that will make a significant and lasting contribution, the gift of donating your body to medical science through the Virginia Department of Health's State Anatomical Program.

Donation is a gift of education to the many hundreds of doctors, nurses and other health professionals studying in Virginia’s medical schools, colleges and universities who must learn how the human body is constructed before treating living patients. No models, films or books can substitute for the actual study of the human body itself.

Donation is also a gift of discovery and knowledge to the many researchers in Virginia studying new ways to prevent illness, treat diseases and develop innovative surgical techniques.

Donation is a gift of improved health and extended lives for our families, friends and the citizens of Virginia.

3. What bodies cannot be accepted by the State Anatomical Program?

The State Anatomical Program may decline donation of a body previously pledged for donation that is not suitable for medical study. It cannot accept a body that:

• is autopsied or embalmed;
• has extensive burns, trauma or surgical incisions that have not healed;
• is extremely obese or emaciated;
• is in the beginning stages of decomposition;
• has had organs or tissues removed;
• has or is suspected of having a contagious and communicable disease including, AIDS, viral hepatitis, active or history of tuberculosis or Jakob-Creutzfeldt disease;
• has an antibiotic resistant infection such as MRSA, C-Diff, or VRE;
• has amputated limbs;
• has extreme contractures of extremities or are in a contracted fetal position;
• has permanent ostomies with indwelling tubes;
• has large bed sores or open wounds.

The State Anatomical Program has the right to refuse a body for donation upon viewing it for the first time. In the event a body cannot be accepted at time of death, the family should have alternate plans available for disposition.

4. Is there an age limit?

The State Anatomical Gift Act, §32.1, Chapter 8, Article 2 of the Code of Virginia, allows anyone 18 years of age or older to donate his or her body to the program.

5. May I donate organs or tissues and still donate my body to the State Anatomical Program?

Only a body that is intact is suitable for scientific research under the State Anatomical Program. Therefore, a body from which individual organs or tissues have been removed for transplant, except the corneas or eyes, cannot be used.

6. May my body be donated at death if prior donation has not been authorized?

Donation may be made after death by having the person who is responsible for the disposition of the body complete an after-death donor form. In the absence of any indication to the contrary, donation at death may be made by the following people in priority relationship:

• an adult appointed by a person to make arrangements for disposition of the person's remains, and Executor of Estate;
• spouse;
• adult son or daughter;
• either parent;
• adult brother or sister; or
• legal guardian of the decedent at the time of death .

A body may be donated at death only if the State Anatomical Program determines it is suitable for use.

7. Suppose I die outside of Virginia?

If you die outside of Virginia, there are three options:

1. The body may be offered to the anatomical program at a nearby medical school that needs bodies, or
2. The family may assume the expense of returning the unembalmed body to Virginia, at which time the State Anatomical Program will take possession of the remains, or
3. The family may revoke donation by notifying the State Anatomical Program, and contact a funeral home of their choice and arrange for burial.

8. Will my family have to pay for transportation of the body?

The State Anatomical Program will pay a funeral home a designated fee for transporting the body of a pre-registered donor in Virginia to a state facility for collection. Any additional fees charged by funeral homes or transport services for this service may be assessed to the family.

9. Will I be paid for donating my body to science?

The State Anatomical Program does not buy bodies, nor do other states or medical schools in the United States. However, donation may relieve the family of some burial and associated expenses.

10. Who should be notified of my death?

Donors should notify the following individuals and organizations about their intent to donate: those designated to make final disposition; next of kin; and the relevant personal physician, hospital or nursing home. Upon your death, the physician, nursing supervisor, hospital or relative should contact the State Anatomical Program at (804) 786-2479.

If death occurs during normal working hours, 8:15 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, the State Anatomical Program will give instructions. If death occurs at a hospital after hours or on a weekend, the hospital should hold the remains in its facility and leave a message on the voicemail of the State Anatomical Program and notify the State Anatomical Program the next working day to make arrangements for removal. If death occurs at a nursing home or a residence, the nursing home and/or a relative should contact the closest funeral home and request the remains be taken to the closest hospital with a holding facility. The State Anatomical Program will pay a designated amount for transportation costs for those who are pre-registered.

11. How would my family obtain a death certificate?

After the attending physician signs the death certificate the State Anatomical Program will file the certificate with the local health department serving the jurisdiction where the death occurred. Certified copies of the death certificate can be requested from the local health department or from the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Vital Records, Richmond, Va., (804) 225-5000.

12. May my family have a funeral for me?

The State Anatomical Program assumes custody of the body, so a funeral service with the body present is not possible. However, the family may have a memorial service conducted at any time.  If the family wishes to have the cremated remains of their loved one returned to them for a memorial service after medical study, they must fill out the appropriate form at the time of the donor’s death and submit it to the State Anatomical Program immediately.

13. What about a death notice in the newspaper?

The family is responsible for the placement and cost of an obituary notice. The newspaper will confirm the death with the State Anatomical Program prior to publication.

14. Can my family request which medical program or study receives my donation?

The Virginia Anatomical Program’s purpose is to provide whole body human remains for teaching anatomy and surgery and medical research throughout Virginia. It cannot guarantee donations to specific medical programs or specify certain organs to be considered for medical study.

15. What happens after the body is no longer needed in a medical program?

The disposition of the body is arranged by the school and the remains are either buried or cremated and cremated remains scattered in a respectful manner. The donor’s family may download and complete a donor request for return of cremated remains at the time of the donor’s death.  At times, an organ or part from a body may be useful for teaching purposes, and it is desirable to preserve it so that it may be used over and over without deterioration and more than one group of students will be able to study it. Such an organ may be preserved long-term at the medical school.

16. Will it be possible for my family to receive a report of medical findings?

The bodies received are used strictly for the purpose of medical education in the instruction of anatomy and science. There are no autopsies performed and no pathological reports prepared.

17. If I change my mind can I cancel my donation?

Your donation may be canceled at any time, in writing, to the State Anatomical Program. Also notify your relatives that you have canceled your donation.