Body Donor Form 

Q. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE MEDICAL CENTER'S BODY DONOR PROGRAM?
A. To receive the remains of persons wishing to make an anatomical gift to the Medical Center for the advancement of scientific research and teaching.

Q. IS THERE A NEED FOR BODY DONATIONS?
A. Yes. Only through the bequeathal of bodies to medical centers can future physicians receive adequate training.

Q. ARE THERE ANY CHARGES TO MY ESTATE OR MY FAMILY FOR THIS ANATOMICAL GIFT?
A. No. The Medical Center will bear the transportation costs and related expenses for the disposition of the body.

Q. IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT?
A. The Medical Center will accept adult donations 18 years of age or over. There is no maximum age limit.

Q. HOW DO I BEQUEATH MY BODY TO THE MEDICAL CENTER?
A. By filling out the appropriate donor forms which are provided by the Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Biology Office (Phone: 202-994-3511). Or you can download a Body Donor Form by clicking the link below:

Body Donor Form

NOTE: To download the form you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader or another PDF viewer; to obtain a PDF viewer click on Acrobat Reader.

Q. MAY I ALSO DONATE TO ORGAN BANK PROGRAMS?
A. Only eye donations may also be made. No other organs may be donated to organ bank programs. The donation of eyes is arranged by the donor and occurs prior to arrival of the body to the University.

Q. WHAT MEDICAL CONDITIONS PRECLUDE THE ACCEPTANCE OF A BODY DONATION?
A. Alternative arrangements for the disposition of the body should be made in the event that an autopsy or recent surgery has been performed, the body is severely damaged due to an accident or decomposition, obesity, or a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS or other communicable disease such as hepatitis has been made .

Q. WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BODY WHEN IT IS RECEIVED BY THE MEDICAL CENTER?
A. The unembalmed remains are prepared for use at the GWU Medical School. Anatomical studies are carried out only by medical personnel, and the body is always treated with dignity and respect.

Q. IF A PERSON HAS DIED AND HAS NOT DONATED HIS/HER BODY TO THE MEDICAL CENTER, CAN HIS/HER BODY BE DONATED?
A.Yes. The Anatomy and Regenerative Biology Department should be contacted by the nearest relative or personal representative.

Q. SUPPOSE A DONOR DIES OUTSIDE THE WASHINGTON AREA?
A. Due to transportation, donor bodies are only accepted when death occurs within a 50-mile radius of The George Washington University Medical Center. Should death occur outside this geographical area, the family should arrange donation to another institution. The Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Biology should be notified of the deaths of all donors within our program..

Q. HOW MAY I CANCEL MY DONATION?
A. Your donation may be rescinded at any time by writing or calling the Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Biology. The Department should also be notified of any address changes.

Q. WHAT PROCEDURES SHOULD BE FOLLOWED AT THE TIME OF DEATH?
A. The Medical Center should be notified at the time of death by telephone: phone the Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Biology at 202-994-3511 weekdays (8:30am-5:00pm). A voice mail message informs callers of procedures during evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Q. IS A FUNERAL SERVICE HELD?
A. No. The Medical Center assumes immediate custody of the body, so a funeral service with the body present is not possible. However, the family may elect to have a memorial service at any time.

Q. WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BODY AFTER THE STUDIES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED BY THE MEDICAL CENTER?
A. Cremation will occur 18-24 months from the time of death. The cremains will be returned to the family upon their request. The Medical Center disposes of all other cremated remains by interment.

Q. HOW DO I OBTAIN A COPY OF THE DEATH CERTIFICATE?
A. The mortuary service that picks up the deceased donor will file the death certificate with the appropriate government agency. The University does not receive a certified copy of the death certificate and cannot provide copies to donor family members. Certified copies can be obtained from the local vital statistics office of the jurisdiction in which death occurred. Further questions should be addressed to the mortuary service.

For more Information, Contact:

Body Donor Program Email:anaaxo@gwumc.edu