BODY DONATION
Donating your body to science is a compassionate decision. You should know that your body (or the body of your loved one) is in good hands as you provide an essential component of medical education. At the BYU School of Medicine, there is a culture of reverence for donors among faculty, staff, and students. Donors have a meaningful impact on our students and are critical to our mission.
Making a Body Donation
We partner with the University of Utah Body Donor Program.
To donate your loved one's body to the Body Donor Program, or if you would like to donate your own body after you pass away, you will need to fill out a form for Whole Body Donation, also called "Certificate of Bequeathal."
Body Donation FAQ
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Toggle ItemWhat is the law in Utah concerning body donation?Utah state gives an individual the legal authority to bequeath his or her body to the University of Utah School of Medicine if they are over 18 or married. According to the law, the wishes of potential donors take precedence over those of their next-of-kin. However, in practice, the next-of-kin can prevent body donation if they oppose it. Therefore, it is important that the next-of-kin understand and agree with the donor's wishes.
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Toggle ItemCan I donate someone else’s body, such as my spouse’s?Yes. When a husband or wife passes, the surviving spouse can donate the body.
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Toggle ItemCan I donate my body and still have a funeral?Yes, if the donor or the family wants a funeral; however, they must pay the expenses. They should ask the mortician to consult with the University of Utah Department of Neurobiology before the body is prepared.
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Toggle ItemWhat happens to the body after the medical studies are complete?Donation generally lasts three months to two years. At no expense to the family, the body is cremated and, in accordance with the donor's wishes, the ashes are either returned to the family or placed in a common repository at the Salt Lake City Cemetery.