Body Donor Program

The Need for Bodies After Death
All physicians must have a thorough knowledge of the structure of the human body. This is obtained early in their medical education by studying anatomy through the dissection of the human body. The need for human bodies can be met only if people interested in medical education arrange to contribute their bodies to a medical school immediately following death. Donated bodies are also used for research such as developing new surgical procedures and learning new clinical techniques.

Religious Support
The donation of one’s body for the advancement of medical education and research is viewed as a good and charitable act by many religious leaders. Cardinal Medeiros (Roman Catholic) characterized such a donation as "an act of fraternal charity with significant results for scientific research." "We have a mandate to offer and to use our bodies," stated Episcopal Suffragan Bishop Arnold, "as we do offer material things, as gifts to others, especially to generations yet unborn." " If bodies are given to a scientific institution to study and then are buried after work on them is done," Rabbi Gettelsohn remarked, "there can be little objection from the liberal point of view." Personal consideration and beliefs must be carefully evaluated by each donor. When in doubt, it is best to consult your own pastor, priest or rabbi.

Who Can Donate?
By completing the Anatomical Donor Form before death, anyone over the age of 18 may donate his or her body. The program is only open to residents of the State of Maine. We cannot accept people who reside outside of the state of Maine. The form must be witnessed by two people (anyone 18 years or older, and preferably the next-of-kin or executor). The Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, adopted in one form or another in all 50 states, allows individuals to bequeath their bodies to medical school or hospitals without permission of the next-of-kin. Most states consider donation of a body to a medical school for dissection to be its final legal disposition. However, the University requires relatives’ permission. It is therefore important to have your next-of-kin or an executor sign your donor form.

More than 90 percent of the cadavers used by U.S. medical schools have been donated. "These are not street people or people without families," says Cheryl Blumenthal of Pennsylvania’s Human Gifts Registry. " Every economic group is represented." Some families have a tradition of leaving their bodies to science and some individuals leave their bodies to their alma mater.

The most common reasons people give for donating their bodies to science are to aid medical science and teaching, and to show gratitude to the medical profession. Very few donate because they either lack relatives or cannot afford funeral expenses. Oliver Wendell Holmes made this comment on his experiences as a medical student: "I have been going to Massachusetts General Hospital and dissecting cadavers of better men and women than I ever was myself or am likely to be." Donation forms are available upon request from: the Anatomical Donor Program, University of New England, College of Osteopathic Medicine, 11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford, ME 04005 or by calling us at (207) 602-2202 or 602-2206, Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

There is no upper age limit for whole body donation, nor does amputation of limbs preclude acceptance. Medical conditions that would prevent acceptance as a donor includes: HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis, and Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease. Extensive trauma to the body at the time of death, advanced decomposition, or extreme obesity would also make the remains unsuitable for anatomical study.

Changes or Cancellations
If a donor changes his or her name or address - or if he or she wishes to cancel his or her gift - he or she should notify the Anatomical Donor Program, at the above address or telephone number.

Next-of-Kin's Wishes
Under the Uniform Gift Act of Maine, your wishes take legal precedence over those of your next-of-kin. However, the University strongly urges you to discuss your plan with your family so your wishes may be clearly understood. The University will refuse the donation if there are strong objections from the family.

Alternative Agreement
Acceptance of an anatomical gift is contingent upon the needs of the University at the time of donor’s death or at the time of notification by the next-of-kin or executor of the will of the deceased person that a gift is to be made. Accordingly, donors should always make alternative arrangements for cremation or interment in the event that the University is unable to accept a gift.

At the Time of Death
At the time of death of a prearranged donor or of a person whose remains are to be donated, the next-of-kin or executor should contact a physician and notify the funeral home serving the University (207-282-6300) or the funeral home of choice to arrange immediate transportation of the unembalmed body to the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. A body must not be autopsied.

For those who travel to other parts of the United States to visit family and friends, we encourage them to also join a body donation program in that area to provide coverage while away from home. For the nearest medical school, see the instruction sheet.

Autopsy and Organ Donation
Although many valuable things are learned from an autopsy, the basic understanding of the organization of the human body is derived from careful study of the unautopsied body. For this reason, organs (other than the eyes) may not be removed after death for transplantation purposes. These above numbers can be called on nights, weekends, and holidays for immediate instructions.

Financial Remuneration
No payment may be made with respect to the body donation. The University does pay for costs of transportation, embalming and cremation of the body. In addition, the cremated remains can be returned to the next-of-kin, or be buried on the University campus at our annual multi denominational memorial service. The next-of-kin of individuals interred at the University will be invited to attend these services. After the studies have been completed, we will inform them of the time and place.

When Study of the Body is Completed
Medical study of the body can take from one to three years. When the study is finished, the cremated remains may be returned to the next-of-kin or executor or buried in the University Cemetery. When the donor form is completed, the wishes of the donor should be indicated on the form. When the body is accepted, it is vital for the family to make arrangements with the University at the time of donation if they wish to change the previous arrangements in any way. Please let us know at that time.

The Maine Anatomical Gift Act
The law substantially removes all legal barriers to donating organs for transportation, therapy or research or donating bodies for anatomical study.

Essentially, the law says:

  • Any person 18 or older may donate all or part of his body after death for research, transplantation or placement in a tissue bank;
  • A donor's valid statement of gift is paramount to the right of others except where the state autopsy law prevails;
  • If a donor has not acted during his lifetime, his or her survivors, in a specified order or priority, may do so;
  • Physicians who accept organs or tissues, relying in good faith on the documents, are protected from lawsuits. The physician attending at the time of death, if acquainted with the donor’s wishes, may dispose of the body under the Maine Anatomical Gift Act;
  • The time of death must be determined by a doctor who is not involved in the transplantation, and the attending physician cannot be a member of the transplant team if he or she is a donee;
  • The donor may revoke the gift and the gift may be rejected;
  • All donated bodies are treated with the utmost respect and confidentiality.

For more information, please call Hank Wheat: (207) 602- 2202 or 602-2206.    
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