| HOW CAN I DONATE MY BODY TO HELP MEDICAL SCIENCE?
Upon request, forms are sent to you authorizing your generous gift
to the health science center. Complete the information and have
two people witness your signature. Witnesses must be at least 2
1 years old, preferably someone expected to be a survivor. Your
signatures do not need to be notarized. The original form must be
sent back to us. One duplicate form should be kept where it can
be quickly located and the other one given to the individual who
will be concerned with your final arrangements. Go
to Forms
DO I GET PROOF OF MY DONATION?
Once we receive your donor form, we will send you an acknowledgment
letter with a donor card that you can carry in your wallet. If you
should ever need more cards, please call the Department
of Cell Biology & Genetics
at (817)735-2047.
IS THERE ANY COST TO MY FAMILY FOR DONATING MY
BODY?
Not usually. However, if you die more than 50 miles from Fort Worth,
your estate would need to pay for transportation to the health science
center. Also, your family will need to pay for certified copies
of death certificates. It will be their responsibility to get any
needed copies through the Bureau of Vital Statistics in the city
where death occurred. There is no cost to the family for preparation
of your body, however a fee of $225.00 will be assessed for final
disposition by cremation. This fee is subject to increase based
on the requirements and policies of the Department
of Cell Biology & Genetics.
WILL I OR MY FAMILY RECEIVE PAYMENT FOR AGREEING
TO MY DONATION?
No. Paying an individual or an estate for a donation is against
the law.
HOW SHOULD MY FAMILY NOTIFY YOU UPON MY DEATH?
Your nearest family member or executor of your estate should call
our division at 817-735-2047, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
If it's after hours, contact the UNT Health Science Center Campus
Police at 817-735-22 10. They will notify us immediately, and we
will make the necessary arrangements. The police department in the
city where the death occurs should be called before our notification.
WHO SHOULD I TELL OF MY INTENT TO DONATE?
Your next of kin or the executor of your estate should be notified
of the arrangements and have access to all information about your
bequest. A friend or a relative living close to you should be notified
if there is no next of kin. We also advise you to notify your physician,
clergy and attorney of the arrangements.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I CHANGE MY MIND?
If you change your mind, all you need to do is send a written request
to us canceling your donation.
CAN I STILL HAVE A FUNERAL AND VIEWINGS?
Our health science center is a state-assisted institution, and
we are unable to offer those services. Because we must prepare each
donation within 12 hours of the time of death, it would not be possible
to have funeral services and viewing with the body present, but
your family may have a memorial service conducted elsewhere at any
time.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE DONATION WHEN STUDIES HAVE
BEEN COMPLETED?
State law requires us to cremate all donations.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE REMAINS AFTER THEY ARE CREMATED?
You may choose to designate on your donor form if you want your
cremains returned to your family or you may have us inter them according
to state law.
IF I REGISTER WITH AN ORGAN BANK, CAN I STILL
DONATE MY BODY?
Yes. There is no basic conflict. Although a body from which organs
and eyes have been removed is of limited use, individuals who have
donor forms on file can donate organs to an organ bank. Arrangements
should be made with all organizations involved. We do not automatically
make such arrangements with eye and/or organ banks. This step is
up to you. We will, however, be glad to honor such requests and
we appreciate you letting us know that steps have been taken toward
organ and eye donations.
We are often able to accept a donation when an eye or other organ
donation is not possible.
WHAT IF I SHOULD DIE OUT OF TOWN?
There are two alternatives:
1) Your family may choose to forward your body to the Health Science
Center at your estate's expense within 12 hours;
2) Your family may donate your body to a medical school located
in the state in which death occurred.
WHAT IF MY FAMILY IS NOT AROUND WHEN I DIE?
As long as your donor card is with you, there should be no problem.
If not, the, authorities will have to contact your next of kin or
another family member. Be sure that your family members know of
your request and that they have access to all information pertaining
to your bequest with the Willed Body Program.
COULD A BEQUEST BE MADE AS AN AMENDMENT TO A
WILL?
Yes. Consult an attorney for details. However, we must receive
the bequest form before accepting your donation.
WHAT CONDITIONS MIGHT MAKE MY DONATION UNACCEPTABLE?
If you had a contagious disease such as hepatitis, tuberculosis
or HIV, then the medical school couldn't use your donation. We cannot
accept donations that are the result of suicide or have suffered
severe trauma, such as an automobile accident or a gunshot wound.
Also, we cannot accept your donation if an autopsy has been performed.
We reserve the right to decline any donation.
CAN YOU DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF DEATH AFTER YOUR
STUDIES?
Studies to determine the cause of death would not be conclusive
and are not performed.
CAN I DONATE SOMEONE ELSE'S BODY- LIKE MY WIFE
OR MY HUSBAND?
Third-party donation forms for families of individuals who cannot
sign for themselves or who pass away before signing a donation form
are available. They are completed with the assistance of the next
of kin. Go to forms
For more information, call or write to:
The Willed Body Program
Department of Cell Biology & Genetics
University of North Texas
Health Science Center at Fort Worth
3500 Camp Bowie Boulevard
Fort Worth, Texas 76107-2699
817-735-2047
An EEO/Affirmative Action Institution
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