Body Donation After Death: What to Expect

Science Care exists to link donors who choose to donate their body to science with medical researchers and educators who are working to improve the quality of life for generations to come. There are many ways that an intended donor might donate their body to science through Science Care, and we’re detailing them and the body donation process in this helpful blog. 

Pathways to Donation

In states where we allow pre-registration, individuals can register their intent to donate in less than three minutes and take care of their self-consent in advance. This allows them to take control of their end-of-life plans and ensure their wishes are honored when the time comes.

Anyone who has been diagnosed as terminally ill or placed under hospice/palliative care within an eligible state can be screened for acceptance into Science Care’s HOPE® Program. Once accepted, individuals are granted one-year priority acceptance into our program. Keep in mind there are restrictions and acceptance into HOPE® is not a guarantee. You can learn more here.

In states where it isn’t possible to pre-register, we operate an at-need program, which means it’s important for intended donors to make sure their loved ones are aware of their desire to donate their body to Science with Science Care and to call Science Care at the beginning of end-of-life care such as hospice, palliative or imminent care, or at the time of death. 

Nearly 40% of those who register to become donors never see that wish fulfilled because their family did not know. It’s very important for every intended body to donor to take the time to share your wishes with your family. It’s a good idea to also take time to review and update any of your end-of-life documents. Make sure any Power of Attorney documents to ensure they still align with your wishes, enabling your next of kin to honor your requests at the time of death. We have pulled together tips for sharing that information with your family, and even have a free eBook you can send to loved ones to help with the conversation. 

Immediately After Passing

It’s important to understand that registration is not a requirement, and we do accept donors who were not pre-registered. At the time of the intended donor’s death, it is important to give Science Care a call immediately at 800.417.3747 to begin the screening process. Our team is available year-round, 24-hours a day to take care of you and your loved ones. 

At that time, our staff will walk you through a brief medical screening over the phone to determine acceptance. If your loved one is accepted, our team will collect important contact and demographic information from your loved ones to begin the donation process. 

The Donation Process

Once an individual has been accepted into the Science Care program, our team will coordinate transportation to bring the donor into our care. Your loved ones will be assigned a direct point of contact who will assist them through the entire donation process. Our team will walk you through obtaining signed authorizations from all donation and cremation consenters. If necessary, a supplemental medical form, social history form, and death certificate form will be sent to the consenters for completion. 

Science Care will file the required paperwork for the death certficate in the county of passing. Once the paperwork is filed, loved ones can order the death certificate directly from vital records in the state or county in which the person passed away or through a service such a VitalChek.

At this point, tissue will be recovered for medical research, training, and education programs. Any tissue that is not a match for current programs will be cremated, and if desired, returned to the designated cremation recipient within three to five weeks following the doctor signing the death certificate. 

After Donation

Many families host a celebration of life or a memorial service for their loved ones once the donation has been completed. This can be coordinated with a local event planner, with loved ones, or even using the services of a local funeral home. 

Science Care will send a Legacy Letter to all donation consenters in the month following the donation. This letter is a beautiful tribute that outlines the research programs happening at the time of donation and gives context to the immense gift of the loved one’s choice to donate their body to science. 

Each year, we plant a tree sapling for every donor who donates their body to science through our program. Memory in Nature® is one way our team chooses to celebrate life and honor the incredible gift of donation. We work with the National Forest Foundation to plant tree saplings in national forests throughout the country. This reforestation helps to preserve public land and provides food and a habitat for wildlife. Science Care is proud to contribute to the earth and humanity's healing through life-affirming action.