Anatomical Gift Program

HMS Quad in Spring

The Demand for Donations

The report of the human trunk is an indispensable component of medical and dental education and enquiry, enabling the advancement of medical and dental science and therapy. Every year, HMS needs anatomical donations for the education of medical and dental students, postgraduate physicians, and students of related disciplines. Private donation is the only source of Harvard Medical School's anatomical gifts.

Who Can Donate?

Whatever person of audio listen who is over 18 years of age can annals to donate his/her trunk for teaching, inquiry, and the advancement of medical and dental science or therapy (Chapter 113, §§ 7-14 of the General Laws of Massachusetts). There is no age limit for those who wish to donate.

How to Make a Donation

In accordance with the Massachusetts Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, an individual may arrange for the donation of his/her remains past executing the Instrument of Anatomical Gift. To be valid, the musical instrument must be signed past two witnesses. The original instrument should be sent to Harvard Medical Schoolhouse, after which you lot will be registered in the program and volition receive your letter of acknowledgement and donor card. You lot may withdraw your donation at any time by notifying our program in writing of your change of intention. Massachusetts law prohibits payment for a torso donation.

When Expiry Occurs

At the time of the donor's death, the person responsible for making final arrangements should call Harvard Medical School at 617-432-1735 every bit soon as possible to determine if HMS can accept the donation. HMS must receive donor remains within 24 hours after decease unless specific exemption is granted by HMS. A torso that has been autopsied or embalmed cannot be accepted for donation.

Once a gift is accustomed, a funeral managing director chosen by the family unit should be contacted and instructed to consult HMS for instructions about the transportation of the body. HMS will pay a stipend straight to the funeral director toward the costs of transportation from the identify of death to HMS and obtaining the Burial/Removal Permit and a certified re-create of the Death Certificate.The funeral manager will be reimbursed but for the cost of these services according to the policy and levels of reimbursement established past HMS. The donor's estate will be responsible for any costs charged by the funeral director that exceed the stipend. If death occurs exterior of Massachusetts, Harvard's stipend to the funeral manager will apply; however, any additional out-of-state travel expenses will autumn to the donor'due south estate.

In full general, families are encouraged to talk over with the funeral director, before the remains come to HMS, whether and to what extent there may be additional charges.

When Studies are Complete

Within a flow of upward to approximately 24 months, when studies are complete, Harvard Medical School will carry out the disposition of the remains as elected on the Instrument of Anatomical Gift, to the extent consistent with the current policy of Harvard Medical School. The options bachelor at the nowadays fourth dimension are:

  • To reclaim the remains at the expense of the estate or family for private burial.
  • To request that the School arrange for cremation. Cremated remains can be returned to the donor'south designee, picked up by the donor'southward designee at HMS or buried at Pine Hill Cemetery, Tewksbury, Massachusetts, in a registered grave; both options are available at Harvard Medical School's expense. A memorial service for donors buried at Pino Colina Cemetery takes place each yr in the fall.

Culling Arrangements

Credence of an anatomical gift is contingent upon the decision of Harvard Medical Schoolhouse at the fourth dimension of death of the donor. Harvard Medical School reserves the correct, at whatever time, to turn down a detail anatomical gift for any reason.

The School has an ongoing demand for donations and carefully reviews all possibilities for utilizing donations for purposes of didactics, enquiry and the advancement of medical or dental scientific discipline or therapy. Although about anatomical donations are accustomed at the time of death, a donor (or donor family) should plan culling arrangements for private cremation and/or burial in the event a donation must exist declined.