Body Donation Program

Introduction

The ANU Medical School’s Anatomy Laboratories, located at both the Canberra Hospital and on the ANU campus, are licensed as a School of Anatomy and accept body donations made by members of the public who wish to make this unique contribution to anatomical studies and advancement of medicine.

The opportunity to examine and dissect the human body is a privilege and the ANU Medical School is extremely grateful to those members of the public who donate their bodies after death. This generosity is one of the reasons why the standard of Australian medical practitioners is so high.

ANU Medical School’s Body Donation Program

All bodies are formally bequeathed to the ANU Medical School and a register is kept of all who have completed the donation forms.

The Medical School takes all responsibility to arrange cremation or a simple burial when anatomical examination, study and teaching of anatomy is completed. There are no direct costs incurred by the family of the deceased.

In rare circumstances the University may not be able to accept a bequest. The Medical School use bequeathed bodies to study the NORMAL structure of the WHOLE human body, and may therefore not be in a position to accept a body whose normal structure has been significantly altered by a medical condition or the performance of an autopsy, or to accept bequests of separate organs of the body. Following certain rare diseases a body may also be unacceptable.

Body Donation Form

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I donate my body?
The procedure of donating one's body to the University is very simple. Details of how a contact can be made with the ANU Medical School is shown below. TWO copies of the Body Donation Form with relevant information will then be sent out to you. If you decide to donate, you simply fill out the forms and return one copy to the address below and keep another copy with your will. You will receive a letter of acknowledgement.

Anatomy Laboratories
Medical School
The Australian National University
ACTON ACT 0200
T: 02 6125 2198
F 02 6125 4814

There is no payment for an acceptance of a body donation.

2. Can my family donate my body on my behalf?
In the absence of a duly signed and witnessed consent, the University CANNOT accept donations verbally, or from anyone other than the Next-of-Kin*, or the person legally responsible.
The Next-of-Kin can donate the body of a deceased relative, provided they sign a consent form in the presence of witnesses, and attach a letter stating that donation was the express wish of the deceased.

*“Next of kin” of a deceased child means, in the following order of seniority –
a) A parent of the child;
b) A brother or sister of the child, where the brother or sister is aged 18 years or over;
c) A person who was a guardian of the child immediately before the child’s death;
“Next of kin” of any other deceased person means, in the following order of seniority –
a) A person who was a spouse of the deceased person, where the son or daughter is aged 18 years or over;
b) A son or daughter of the deceased person, where the son or daughter is aged 18 years or over;
c) A parent of the deceased person;
d) A brother or sister of the deceased person, where the brother or sister is aged 18 years or over.

3. If I have signed the Donation Form, will the University definitely accept my body?
A signed Body Donation Form does not guarantee acceptance of your body. The ANU Medical School may be unable to accept body donation if the donor contracted a notifiable disease, the body has been autopsied or has been embalmed, etc. (please see Question 5).

4. If the University has my signed Form, what happens after my death?
When a potential donor’s death occurs, the next of kin or the person legally responsible should:

• obtain a Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death;
• contact the ANU Medical School Anatomy Laboratories T: 02 61259081, to check if donation deemed suitable to be accepted;
• It is usually many years between the initial signing of donor consent forms and the potential donor's death and many factors can change, affecting suitability of the body. For this reason our staff may need further information from the next-of-kin or medical and nursing staff who looked after the donor prior to death.
• notify and register the death with the relevant government authorities (Registration of Death).

5. What conditions will prevent the University from accepting my body?
As we use donated bodies to study the NORMAL structure of the WHOLE human body, we may not be able to accept the body if the donor:

• is obese or emaciated;
• has been significantly altered by certain medical conditions or procedures* including amputation;
• has undergone an autopsy;
• has been embalmed;
• has undergone whole organ donation;
• has Creutzfeld Jacob Disease (CJD), any form of dementia, or is suspected of having certain notifiable diseases;
• has jaundice;
• has been deceased for more than 72 hours or cannot be transferred to the ANU Anatomy Laboratories within 72 hours;
• too great distance for body transportation (greater than 200Km radius of Canberra); and
• laboratories storage limitations.

*Due to variations in procedures, exceptions may be made in some cases
After the appropriate enquiries have been made, if the body is NOT suitable for donation, the next-of-kin will be notified immediately so they can make alternative funeral arrangements. The Universities cannot be held liable for any costs incurred through the refusal of a donation. It is incumbent upon the next-of-kin or the attending medical personnel, to obtain acceptance of the body prior to its transport.

6. If my body is accepted, what happens then?
If the body is deemed suitable and the donation is accepted, the body will be transported by the preferred Funeral Director to the Mortuary and Pathology Museum at no cost to the Next-of-Kin.

The nominated Funeral Director in the Canberra area: Tobin Brothers Funeral Services T: 02 6295 2799 for transportation of the body to:
ANU Medical School Anatomy Laboratories
Level 1, Frank Fenner Building (42)
Australian National University
Acton ACT 0200
For areas outside of Canberra, please contact your local Funeral Director to arrange transportation.
The body will undergo an embalming process that will preserve the tissues in a sterile condition. It is then placed into cold storage until required. The study of a body extends over a number of years and in some cases, whole bodies or selected parts will be kept indefinitely for continuous use in teaching and research. For this reason, donation of a body for the purpose of teaching and research is FINAL and UNCONDITIONAL.

7. Will my privacy be protected?
The ANU is grateful to you for your generosity and your unique contribution to the advancement of medicine and community health. Dignity, respect and anonymity are accorded the deceased during and after anatomical studies.

The information you have provided on this form will only be used by the ANU to maintain a register of donations and to facilitate the obtaining retention and disposal of your body. The ANU may disclose your personal information to third parties, such as contractors or to other agencies/persons responsible for the care of deceased persons. The ANU may also disclose your personal information to law enforcement agencies and governments for licensing, security and customs purposes.

8. Will my body ever be buried or cremated?
The subsequent cremation of bodies and tissues following the completion of anatomical study will be arranged by the ANU Medical School, in accordance with the relevant government regulations. The ANU Medical School will meet all expenses involved.

9. What if I change my mind?
You may, at any time, revise or revoke, your preference or your wishes you have made on this form by notification to the following address:
ANU Medical School Anatomy Laboratories
Level 1, Frank Fenner Building (42)
Australian National University
Acton ACT 0200