faqs frequently asked questions
1. Can my body be donated if I have a serious disease at the time of my death or die from a crushing injury?
No, the Anatomical Board cannot accept bodies of persons dying from crushing injuries, or highly communicable diseases (such as AIDS or hepatitis B or C).
2. How long would my remains be used for medical studies?
Education and/or research procedures may take up to two years to be completed. If a request has been made for the return of the cremains, we will contact the family at the time that the ashes are available.
3. What happens to my body after the medical studies are complete?
Upon completion of academic studies, the bodies are cremated pursuant to Florida Statutes 497.005 and one of two options followed.
- The ashes can be returned to the family or location selected by the family for final interment. The Anatomical Board will pay for shipping the ashes within the U.S., however, the cost of interment is the responsibility of the survivors.
- If no request has been made for the return of the cremains to the survivors, the Anatomical Board takes responsibility for spreading the cremains over the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
4. How old do I have to be to donate my body?
Enrollment is open to anyone 18 years of age or older.
5. Can I donate someone else’s body, for example, that of my wife or husband?
This cannot be done while the donor is living unless you hold power-of-attorney. Documentation to this effect will be required. Otherwise, after the individual dies, the nearest living next-of-kin can donate the body by consent.
6. What happens if I move or die outside of the State of Florida?
- The Anatomical Board will assist the donor’s family in making arrangements to have the remains donated to the nearest medical school or the family may check our list of body donor programs for information on the closest medical school
- If the next-of-kin insists that the body be returned to the Anatomical Board of the state of Florida, the survivors must assume responsibility for the embalming and transportation costs. A funeral director in the area where the donor expired should be contacted. The funeral director can then contact the Anatomical Board for specific embalming instructions.
7. Will there be any expense to my family or estate for donating my body to the Anatomical Board?
The expense which must be paid by the next-of-kin or estate of the deceased are all funeral home expenses which include:
- The preliminary embalming
- Transportation to the University of Florida College of Medicine, the University of Miami School of Medicine, or the University of Central Florida College of Medicine.
Charges for these services are determined by individual funeral homes, crematories or mortuaries. You may wish to discuss arrangements with more than one funeral director. The Anatomical Board will assume costs for storage, cremation, and final disposition of the cremains if spread at sea.
8. Am I required to use a specific funeral home to make arrangements for the transportation and handling of my body?
At the time of death, the remains must be taken to a funeral home of the family’s choice. The funeral director should be told to contact the Anatomical Board for instructions prior to transporting the body to Gainesville, Miami, or Orlando.
9. Will my body be used in states other than Florida?
All donations to the Anatomical Board of the State of Florida are currently used at universities, colleges and institutions within Florida that have been inspected and approved by the Board.
10. When does the Anatomical Board hold meetings?
The Board meets on an annual basis. The next Board Meeting will be held in April of 2025.
