UMDNJ-RWJMS Anatomical Association
Anatomical Association (RWJMSAA)
675 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854-5635
1-800-GIFT-211
The Ultimate Gift . . .
In depth study of the human body is a very important part of medical
education that is possible because conscientious people donate their bodies
for medical education. Countless individuals enjoy fullness of health
in part through their well educated physicians. These physicians, graduates
of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey are
always mindful of the gift of the human body and acknowledge their indebtedness
to their anonymous donors.
Respect for the Remains
The donor's survivors may derive comfort in the knowledge that all people
involved in medical education hold the life process in reverence and respect
the remains in our care and protection at all times. We responsibly
carry out the final wishes of the donor and of the family.
Questions about Body Donation
1. What is the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act?
Passage of the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act in 1968 established guidelines
for the bequest of the human body. It reads in part: Any individual of
sound mind and 18 years of age or more may give all or any part of his
body for any purposes specified, the gift to take effect upon death .
. . Any accredited medical or dental school, college, or university [may
become a donee of gifts of bodies] for education, research, advancement
of medical or dental science or therapy."
2. Who may donate? How is this bequest made?
Two methods are available:
Pre-Registration: Any New Jersey resident over 18 may be a donor;
there is no maximum age. Pre-registration is preferred. To receive
information and an application form, call the Anatomical Association office
at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School workdays at 1-800-GIFT-211. To apply,
follow the instructions attached to the application form. Upon acceptance,
you will receive a wallet card which identifies you as a donor. It is
helpful to discuss your intentions with your next of kin, and familiarize
them with the information in this brochure.
Bequeathal-After-Death: This form of donation occurs when the
family of a deceased but unregistered individual wishes to donate the
body to science.
3. Can a bequest be rescinded if a registered donor has a change
of mind? And, what happens when donors relocate outside of New Jersey?
The bequest is an arrangement, not a binding legal contract. The arrangement
is easily canceled upon written request.
When registered donors move from New Jersey, they should notify our office
and we will assist them in making similar arrangements with a medical
school in the new location.
4. When a bequest is made to RWJMSAA, and the donor dies outside
of New Jersey, what is the procedure?
It is recommended that the possibility of donating the body to the nearest
medical school be explored.
5. What costs are involved in my donation to RWJMSAA and how are
they assessed?
Like many whole body donor programs, our donor families/estates pay the
expense of donor transport. Donors will be transported to UMDNJ-RWJMSAA
by the contracted, licensed funeral director who provides quality service
to University donor families at reasonable rates based on three geographic
zones (north, central and southern New Jersey). Approximate fees range
from $275 to $350, and donor families will be invoiced by our funeral
director. When requested, our funeral director will apply for Medicaid-eligible
benefits which would cover his charges. The Anatomical Association continues
to assume the costs for cremation and burial.
6. Will my body automatically be accepted into the program once
I sign and return the donor form?
Acceptance of a bequeathal is not automatic. The decision to accept or
reject the donation is always made at the time of death. Your
next of kin/authorized person (chosen earlier by the donor and listed
on the form) should be aware of your wishes should a rejection occur.
Note the criteria in Item 7, below.
7. Why might a gift be declined?
Reasons for rejection may include: Autopsy, presence or suspected presence
of Jakob-Creutzfeldt Disease, AIDS, TB, extremes of obesity or
emaciation, beginning stages of decomposition, unhealed surgery, or previous
embalming. RWJMSAA also reserves the right to decline a donation in the
unlikely event that it has exceeded its capacity. When RWJMSAA must refuse
a donation, RWJMSAA notifies the donor's next of kin/authorized person
who then handles disposition of the remains.
8. When I register to donate my body, should I also make alternate
arrangements?
Although unlikely, it is possible that your body would be unacceptable
for donation (see previous question), thus you and your kin should be
aware of possible alternatives. Persons desiring simplicity and economy
in funeral arrangements commonly join a memorial society, several of which
are in NJ. More information can be obtained from Funeral
Consumers Alliance at (800) 765-0107 or (802) 482-3437.
9. What is the procedure to follow at the time of death?
If death occurs at home, you should immediately notify the Robert Wood
Johnson Medical School Anatomical Association at (1-800-GIFT-211) -
a local funeral home is not needed.
Secondly, call your local police who will assist in arranging pronouncement.
If death occurs in a hospital or nursing home, personnel should immediately
notify RWJMSAA and families should verify this was done. Once notified,
RWJMSAA will arrange transportation.
10. Will my donation remain exclusively at the UMDNJ-RWJMS facility?
Our primary responsibility is to meet the educational and research needs
of UMDNJ medical schools. Occasionally RWJMSAA receives requests for bodies
for medical education and/or research taking place at other facilities,
and may fill those needs according to rigid criteria. Therefore, at its
discretion, RWJMSAA may temporarily transfer a body to an approved
teaching institution or research facility within New Jersey or the
surrounding area.
11. Will a funeral be permitted before donation?
No. Conveyance of the body must occur immediately. At their convenience,
families may wish to plan a memorial service, or other appropriate remembrance
as a means to closure.
12. How does my family obtain a death certificate?
The donor's physician must sign the death certificate, then the RWJMSAA
will file the death certificate. The day a certificate is filed, ONE CERTIFIED
COPY will be mailed to the next of kin/authorized person (chosen earlier
by the donor and listed on the forms).
13. Are memorial donations appropriate?
Family and friends often make memorial contributions to their favorite
charities to show sympathy at the time of death. UMDNJ-RWJMS Anatomical
Association will gratefully acknowledge memorial gifts, which are tax-deductible.
14. What is the final disposition of the body following study? Is
it possible to return the ashes to my family?
RWJMSAA will cremate the remains upon completion of all studies. As the
work nears completion, the donor's closest legal next of kin/authorized
person (chosen earlier by the donor and listed on the form) will be notified
by mail and asked for his/her choice regarding disposition of the cremated
remains. The kin may leave disposition to RWJMSAA, or the family may request
the cremated remains be returned (see Item 5). When directions
for return are received from the next of kin, RWJMSAA arranges the return.
Further information and donor registration forms may be obtained from:
UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Anatomical Association*
Louise Graham, Program Coordinator,
675 Hoes Lane West, Room NB-11, Piscataway, NJ 08854-5635
1-800-443-8211 (1-800-GIFT-211)
Fax: (732) 235-3249
website: http://www2.umdnj.edu/donorweb email:
donorweb@umdnj.edu
Douglas B. MacGregor, Practioner of Mortuary Science
NJ License No. 3117
*Formerly Rutgers Medical School Pathological and Anatomical Association
Last updated
October 5, 2006
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