Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine Human Anatomy Laboratory and Anatomical Gift Program

Certain health conditions may cause a body to be unsuitable for anatomical donation. Some of these conditions may not be obvious until the time of death. These include: infectious and contagious diseases, autopsy, obesity, edema (swelling), emaciation, dehydration, jaundice and liver or kidney failure. The Anatomical Gift Program accepts whole-body donations and is not affiliated with any organ or tissue donation agencies. We do not procure individual tissues or investigate pathologies. A body that has made an organ donation (other than eyes) cannot be accepted. A final acceptance of a donor will be only made at the time of death.

The estate of a donor is not charged for expenses pertaining to the final disposition
of the body. The School of Medicine will assume certain expenses, such as removal and transportation of the human remains, and cremation permits.

Obituaries and certified copies of the death certificate are the responsibility of the
donor's estate.

Donors are encouraged to notify family members of their bequests, and specifically that they have contacted the Anatomical Gift Program, to ensure their wishes are carried out.

At the time of death, the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine Anatomical Gift Program should be notified immediately at 203-582-6587. A licensed funeral director will assist in the removal and transportation of the body. Our office will generate and complete the death certificate.

If a donor registered in our program dies at a location outside Connecticut, a medical school in that state may accept the body. If a body is not accepted, members of the family or the donor's estate should contact a funeral home for further assistance.

The academic programs use the body for approximately 12-24 months, after which the School of Medicine supervises the individual cremation of the body by a licensed crematorium. The cremated remains are then returned to the donor's family.