How can I leave my body to medical science?
Our UTMB WBP is accepting donations after reinstatement of the program by the Texas State Anatomical Board (on June 29, 2018). The details are listed below:
- To sign up as a Pre-Willed participant to our WBP, please complete the Will Form Information Packet and return the completed documents to our WBP office for processing. When processed, you will receive an acknowledgement letter and a wallet card. The return address is located at the bottom of the form. You may also call our UTMB-WBP office at (409) 772-1293 during office hours to request a Will Form Information Packet to be mailed directly to you.
- To donate an individual after death, a Donation Form must be completed / DEATH CALLS, should be referred to our UTMB-WBP office at (409) 772-1293 during office hours. On Nights, Weekends and Holidays, please contact (409) 772-1011.
What is the procedure upon the death of the donor?
The Willed-Body Program (WBP) at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston is accepting donations. Donated bodies will contribute to the advancement of medical science and to the education of students and physicians.
- For any DEATH CALLS, please call our UTMB-WBP office at (409) 772-1293 during office hours. On Nights, Weekends and Holidays, please contact (409) 772-1011.
- For any GENERAL INQUIRES or INQUIRES from SOMEONE who is PRE-WILLED to the UTMB-WBP, please call: (409) 772-1293
Will any payment be received for the body?
No, it is illegal to receive payment for donation of a body or body parts.
What about autopsies?
Autopsies are of interest to the pathologist and
clinician and in certain instances may be
necessary. A body which has been autopsied is of
limited use for medical study but may be accepted,
depending on the needs of the institution. At the UTMB Willed Body Program, we do not take bodies that have undergone autopsy.
Does age, disease, or amputation make the donation unacceptable?
No. but if the body had a contagious disease, or if
it was badly damaged at the time of death, the body
may not be acceptable for donation.
Are bodies embalmed before medical study?
Yes, in most cases, but due to particular
requirements of the medical institution, a special
formula or different preservation strategies (such as freezing) may be used.
What is the final disposition following study?
The accepting institution uses cremation,
according to state law. If there is no request for
the ashes to be returned, the ashes will be
scattered in the Gulf of Mexico.
If a bequest is made, and the donor has a change of mind later can the gift be rescinded?
Yes, if the request is made in writing by the donor.
If the bequest is made to the University of Texas Medical Branch and the donor dies in another state, what is the procedure?
There are two alternatives:
- the family can forward
the body to the school, at their own expense,
- the
family may donate the remains to a medical institution
located in the state in which the death occurred
What expenses are involved upon the death of the donor?The basic fees for embalming and transportation
costs vary by the individual medical schools. Any
additional costs will be charged to the estate. At the UTMB Willed Body Program, we do not charge for embalming and cremation.
Can the eyes be donated to the eye bank, organs donated to organ banks, and the body for medical study?
Most Willed Body Programs will not accept a body after its organs have been removed for transplantation. If eyes and skin are donated, however, most Willed Body Programs will accept the body. You may register with both the organ donation center and the Willed Body Program so that at time of death you may be able to donate the entire body if the organs are not useable for transplantation.
Willed Body Program Brochure
Fax: (409) 772-2941
For additional, general information about body donation in the State of Texas, please visit:
http://sab.state.tx.us/