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After the death
of a donor notification to the University of Kentucky Body
Bequeathal Program should be made as soon as possible. During
and after hours, holidays and weekends please telephone (859)
323-5160 Coordinator of the Body Bequeathal Program.
After hours, holidays, and on weekends telephone calls will be
answered by a recorded message with current information
including the telephone number of our after hours coordinator.
Survivors
should be aware that even though their loved one was registered
as a potential donor to the Program, that certain events before
or shortly after death may make their body unsuitable for
participation in the Program. A full description of these
exceptions are listed on the donor information page.
If the
University of Kentucky declines or refuses the bequeathal or
donation of an individual, it is the survivor's obligation to
make final arrangements. Survivors 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 of the
donor if the donor is unable to make funeral pre-arrangements
for themselves.
If the
University of Kentucky accepts the bequeathal or donation of an
individual's body by a family member, the University will
coordinate receiving the individual from the agency the family
chooses to transport their loved one’s body to the University.
Transportation of the individual from the place of death to the
University is an expense the family or the deceased's estate is
required to pay.
Survivors may
request visitation and 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 Body
Bequeathal Program would not assume the cost of services
requested by survivors at local funeral homes. After the
survivor’s visitation/funeral service the University of Kentucky
would embalmed and studied the body for educational and
scientific studies in the order in which they are received.
Studies may last over a period of years. Viewing of the
individual is not possible at the University of Kentucky.
Each year a
Memorial Service is held by the University of Kentucky Body
Bequeathal Program. Each service will memorialize multiple
donors and is not held immediately after the donor's death.
Faculty, staff and students attend and participate in this
service to publicly express their appreciation for the donors
who have been studied. Family members will be invited to attend
this service if they choose to be notified.
Survivors may
derive comfort from the knowledge that dignity and respect for
those who have donated their bodies is maintained at all times.
The indispensable contribution that participants in the Body
Bequeathal Program have made is fully recognized. The laboratory
is restricted and only medical, dental, or allied health
students, faculty, staff, or students of health-related
professions are authorized to use the facility.
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 or family’s donation form. The
regulations regarding burial or shipment of the cremated remains
are listed.
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