FAQ

Q: Am I guaranteed that my body will be accepted to the program?

A: No. the decision to accept or refuse a body is made only after death because the cause of death and condition of the body may render the body inappropriate for use in the program. An alternate plan should be in place with a funeral home in the event that a body donation is not accepted. 

Q: Is any money paid to the donor? 

A: No. Federal law prohibits the buying and selling of organs, tissue or bodies donated for transplant, research or medical education.  

Q: What role does the funeral home serve?

A: When a body donor dies, the family should immediately contact a funeral home of their choice. The Funeral Director will notify the Manager of the Body Donation Program at OHSU, who determines acceptability of the body. If accepted, the Funeral Director and Manager work together to determine appropriate preparation and transportation of the body. The vast majority of donors are accepted. Funeral services for an accepted donor are not mandatory. If desired by the family, services can be held prior to transport of the body to OHSU. 

Q: Who pays for the funeral home costs? 

A: The body donor's estate pays for the funeral home costs. Oregon does not provide funds for the initial preparation and transportation of donated remains to Oregon Health & Science University. Therefore, it is necessary for the estate of the deceased to assume these costs as a contribution to the advancement of medical education and research. There are no other costs to the estate of the deceased. All expenses for cremation and shipping of the remains to a place specified by the donor or their family are assumed by the Body Donation Program. If these expenses might preclude considering a donation, there is an alternative pathway for donor’s families making the final arrangements if they can prove financial hardship. Please contact program manager for more details.

Q: Can I be assured that my remains will be handled properly?

A: Yes. Proper handling and respect is paramount and will be given to the deceased in all phases of our teaching and research program. All embalming and storage areas have key locks restricted to authorized personnel only. 

Q: What happens when the studies are completed?

A: The remains are cremated in the crematorium at the OHSU School of Medicine and returned to a place specified by the donor or the family. If the family cannot provide a place of final disposition, the cremains will be held at OHSU for a minimum of five years. After that time, the cremains will be interned at designated memorial site along the Oregon coast (Twin Rocks) in a dignified and respectful manner.

Q: Is performing a cremation mandatory? 

A: No. The donor or donor family can make arrangements with a funeral home of their choice to bury or entomb the remains in accordance with their wishes. 

Q: Can my remains be viewed at the Body Donation Program facility?

A: No. The Body Donation Program facility is a highly restricted area and is not suitable for family viewing. Viewing arrangements should be made with the funeral home of your choice prior to transporting the body to the Body Donation Program. 

Q: How long will it be before my family will receive the cremains for final disposition? 

A: Normally the length of time for the final disposition will be from six months to three years.

Q: Can I change my mind? 

A: Yes. The Body Donation Form is a legal document, but it may be cancelled at any time by a phone call or letter to the Body Donation Program requesting that the form be removed from the donor files and destroyed.

Q: Does the designation of “D for donor” on my license enroll me in the program? 

A: No. Your driver's license may be coded with a "D" for donor but this is not sufficient to enroll you in the Body Donation Program. The program requires a separate registration forms to be completed by donor or the donor’s family. This license designation does qualify you for tissue donation. For more details, please visit the Donate Life Northwest website (http://www.donatelifenw.org/).