University of Kentucky Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology: Body Bequeathal: Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Survivors may request viewing, visitation and/or funeral services with their loved one's body present at their local funeral home. However, the University must be made aware of this request to advise funeral home employees of special handling and embalming procedures of the body. Under no circumstances is the body to be embalmed before the University is contacted. The University of Kentucky will not assume the cost of funeral arrangements made by survivors.

3. What happens to my body after study and research is completed?

It is the policy of the University of Kentucky Body Bequeathal Program that all donors be cremated after studies have been completed. The University of Kentucky will follow the instructions of the individual's bequeathal form and will:

Bury the ashes in the University of Kentucky burial grounds, which is located in The Lexington Cemetery, 833 West Main Street, Lexington, KY. The Program assumes responsibility for burial of the donor's ashes in the University of Kentucky burial grounds only.

Send the donor's ashes to a designated person, or place, within the United States as indicated on the bequeathal or donation form. These arrangements may be changed by the next-of-kin only. It is essential for the next-of-kin to maintain a current address with the Program Coordinator.

4. How long does the University of Kentucky keep my body for study and research?

Studies may last over a period of years. It is not possible to predict what study or research the donor's body will be involved in and the amount of time for each study.

5. Is it necessary to employ a funeral home if I donate my body to the University of Kentucky?

No. The Body Bequeathal Program Coordinator is a licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer who will take care of matters involved around the donor's death. These include coordinating transportation from the place of death to the University of Kentucky, filing the death certificate, etc. If the family directs services to be rendered by a local funeral home, the University of Kentucky would not assume the cost of these services.

6. What happens if I die outside the Commonwealth of Kentucky?

The University of Kentucky would decline the gift or bequeathal of the donor's body. However, we would suggest/refer the next-of-kin to another medical school in that vicinity which would likely accept the donation.

7. Can the University of Kentucky refuse my body even if I have completed bequeathal forms?

Yes. The University of Kentucky Body Bequeathal Program must reserve the right to decline, or refuse, individuals for a number of reasons. These have been summarized above.

8. If I have had surgery in the past can I still donate my body to the University of Kentucky?

Yes. Major or minor surgery is acceptable if the surgery has had time to heal.

9. What happens if the University of Kentucky refuses by body?

If the University of Kentucky declines or refuses the bequeathal or donation of an individual, it is the family's obligation to make final arrangements. Individuals who are considering body bequeathal may wish to make funeral pre-arrangements with their local funeral director in the event the University of Kentucky is not able to accept the body.

10. Is there an age limit preventing me from body donation?

No. Adult individuals, 18 years of age or older, are currently accepted into the Program. There is no upper age limit.

11. Can I sell my body to Science?

No. It is illegal in the Commonwealth of Kentucky as well as the United States to sell or receive money for a body.

12. Is there any cost to me, or my family, if I donate my body to the University of Kentucky?

Currently, the only cost is to those individuals whose death occurs in Western Kentucky. We require the family, or estate, to pay the transportation charges from the place of death to the University of Kentucky. The University of Kentucky assumes a single cost of transportation from the place of death to the University of Kentucky for deaths occurring in Central and Eastern Kentucky counties only.

The program does accept tax-deductible donations from donors and/or their family and friends to help offset operating expenses (see item 15 below).

12. Can a Power of Attorney sign a bequeathal form on my behalf?

No. Kentucky law does not recognize the Power of Attorney signature for the bequeathal of a body.

14. If I am unable or have not signed bequeathal forms can my family donate my body to the University of Kentucky Body Bequeathal Program?

Yes. If an individual is unable, or should fail, to complete bequeathal forms prior to his/her death, the next-of-kin may donate your body by completing and signing body donation forms provided by the Program. The Body Bequeathal Program accepts donations made family members and coroners.

15. Does the Program accept monetary or gifts-in-kind from donors or their family and friends?

Yes. As a non-profit organization, the University of Kentucky and the Body Bequeathal Program is appreciative of income tax deductible donations from body donors. Family and friends of donors wishing to memorialize the donor can also make a donation to the Program. For further information please contact the Program Coordinator.