1. Who may donate? to top

Anyone of sound mind that is 18 or older. We do not accept minor children.

2. How do I donate? to top

To request the necessary forms, call or write:

Body Donation Program
WWAMI Medical Program
Box 643510
Washington State University
Pullman, WA. 99164-3510
(509) 335-2602

The forms may also be downloaded from our web site.

Three forms come in the donation paperwork packet: (1) an anatomical gift form, (2) a donor history form, and (3) a final interment form. After completing the forms, return the anatomical gift form, the history form, and the interment form to our office. If you use the on-line forms, please return one copy of each of them to our office. After we receive your paperwork we will send you an identification card to be carried in your wallet or purse.

3. How is the Program contacted after my death? to top

Your next of kin or healthcare provider should contact the WWAMI office, at 509-335-2602, as soon as possible within 24 hours of your death. If it is after hours, they will be directed to another number. The caller will be asked about the cause of death and the condition of the body. If the body is accepted, our funeral director will contact the next-of-kin or informant to make arrangements for removal and transportation.

4. How will my body be used? to top

After embalming, the body will be stored for about one year before use. Donated bodies are used in our program strictly for teaching purposes in training medical and health sciences students. Nearly all donated bodies are used for anatomical study at Washington State University. Some bodies are transported to other area universities. However, these programs maintain the same standards and are under our supervision.

5. What happens to my body after your studies are completed? to top

Our studies usually are completed in 3 to 4 years. After that time, the next-of-kin are notified and the body is cremated. Cremation is the only option for disposition of donated bodies. All bodies are cremated individually. A final interment form is included with the original donation paperwork.

There are two options for final disposition arrangements: (1) burial of cremated remains in a University of Washington Medical School plot at Evergreen-Washelli cemetery in Seattle, or (2) return of the ashes to the next-of-kin. We cannot have cremated remains returned directly to the next-of-kin's home. However, you may designate a funeral home or cemetery to receive the ashes. Please indicate your wishes on the final interment form when you return your paperwork and advise your next-of-kin of your wishes. You or your survivors may change the arrangements by contacting our office in writing.

Bodies are usually cremated in June. There is no cost to the family for burial in Seattle or return of the ashes. If interment in Evergreen-Washelli cemetery is requested, burial takes place in late August. The University of Washington conducts a memorial service at this time. If the family wishes to have the name of the donor placed on a memorial stone at the cemetery, the family must pay this cost. Inquiries about the service or memorial stone can be directed to Evergreen-Washelli at (206) 362-5200 or (800) 755-1350.

6. Will my survivors or I be paid for my donation? to top

No. Washington and Idaho state laws prohibit the sale of bodies or body parts.

7. Will the WWAMI Program accept my donation if my family objects? to top

The paperwork filed by a potential donor is not a binding contract. We prefer to not accept a donation if the family objects. Therefore, please discuss your plans with your family before returning the completed forms.

8. What if I change my mind about donation? to top

Again, the donation forms are not binding, only statements of your wishes after death. You may revoke or revise the forms by contacting our office in writing.

9. Is there a cost to my family or estate? to top

If a donation meets our anatomical criteria, it is usually accepted at no charge from any point in Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho within a 150-mile radius of Pullman. In these circumstances, the WWAMI Program pays for transportation, embalming, cremation, and interment of the ashes in OUR cemetery plot.

Our Body Donation Program operates under financial and space constraints. If our Program's budget can no longer bear the costs, it is still possible to accept donations if the donor's family or estate is able to assume the costs, which are approximately $800.00. We cannot guarantee to pay for all donation expenses.

We contract with a funeral director for transportation and embalming services. Because of this, it may not be possible for us to immediately transport a body to Pullman. Therefore, it may be necessary to have the body removed from home or a hospital by a funeral home in your area. Any costs for removal, transportation, and storage by your local funeral home are the responsibility of your family or estate.

10. What if I live outside of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho? to top

We advise potential donors that live far away from Pullman to make donation arrangements with medical or allied health schools in their state or regions. Since the body needs to be embalmed as soon as possible after death, we cannot accept bodies from remote areas and we prefer to not accept bodies that need to be transported great distances. If an individual does wish to donate from far away, your survivors would incur ALL expenses for embalming and transportation to Pullman. Special embalming techniques are required, so arrangements would have to be made with a local funeral home. It may be necessary for our funeral director to re-embalm to our specifications at the survivor's expense.

11. What if I die in another state or region? to top

Your survivors should contact a donation program in that state or region. Because of the time and cost involved in arranging for transportation, it is our policy not to accept a donation from a distant state.

12. Will the Program accept a body without the donor being pre-registered? to top

We prefer to have the necessary paperwork on file before accepting a body donation. Normally we do not accept spur-of-the-moment donations.

13. May I still have a funeral? to top

Since it is necessary to obtain the body as soon as possible after death, this normally precludes a funeral. Of course, the family may still arrange a memorial service. However, the Body Donation Program cannot bear the cost of this service.

14. May I donate organs and still be able to donate my body? to top

No, unless only corneas are donated. You may be registered with our program and an organ donation program simultaneously. Our paperwork is not binding and does not take precedence over organ donation. However, if you or your survivors choose to donate your organs (other than corneas) upon your death, then whole body donation is not possible, and we will decline your donation.

15. Would it be possible for my family to receive a report of medical findings or disease conditions? to top

No. We do not provide any reports concerning pathologic findings.

16. What conditions would prevent the Program from accepting my body? to top

The acceptance of a body donation is made on a case-by-case basis at the time of death. The Body Donation Program reserves the right to refuse a donation depending upon certain medical and legal restrictions and the needs of the program.

Having paperwork on file with our program does not guarantee acceptance of your body. To avoid undue grief and disappointment to members of your family, they should be made aware of these conditions, and alternate arrangements for your body after death should be made in advance.

There are a variety of reasons why the donation may be declined at the time of death:

• A donation offer made more than 24-hours after death - decomposition of the body makes it unacceptable.
• Accidental death, suicide, or sudden death of someone not under a physician's care usually comes under the jurisdiction of a coroner or medical examiner. If an autopsy is performed, the donation is not acceptable.
• Trauma or extensive burns.
• Infectious diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, HIV, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, or other transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (prior diseases of the central nervous system), and skin infections such as shingles (herpes zoster) or methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
• Recent major surgeries.
• Certain types of cancer with metastasis or space-occupying tumors that distort the anatomy.
• Extreme obesity or emaciation.
• Organ donation, except for corneas.

Also, budgetary or space restrictions in our donation program may restrict our ability to accept donations. Potential donors who are not pre-registered with our program are usually not accepted.