Qualifications

The University of California recognizes the value and importance of anatomical donations and is committed to ensuring that they are treated with the utmost care and respect. Most people qualify to be a whole body donor for medical education and research.  

Donors must be a resident of Southern California, over the age of 18, with capacity to understand and sign the required consent forms. Contagious diseases, like HIV, HBV, and HCV, are exclusionary conditions for donation. Serious traumatic injury to the body and extreme obesity may disqualify someone to be a donor.

The body may be used for several years, but after the use has ended, we will cremate the body and scatter the ashes at sea.  While there is no cost to the family for cremation and final disposition, cremated remains cannot be returned back to the family upon the conclusion of use.

Signature on the giving board
Willed
Truly, we cannot do what we do to further anatomy education, skills-based training and experimental research without such generous legacy gifts. -Willed Body program director Mark Brooks
  • Notify us on our 24 hour hotline (949-824-6061) within 48 hours of passing
  • We will confirm eligibility and arrange for transportation at that time
  • We will do our best to accommodate any wishes of the family to allow for viewing at the residence or other place of death prior to transportation to our campus
  • We will work with the county of death’s health care official to prepare and file the death certificate, providing the donor’s agent with information as to how to obtain certified copies