Frequently Asked Questions

We are a whole body donation program established to support the myriad of educational and research needs of UCI’s School of Medicine and teaching labs affiliated with the Willed Body Program, located at places like community colleges and CSU.  None of our donors are used for clinical transplant into patients but rather to support a wide array of educational and clinical pursuits in medicine, allied health training, and anatomy.

Upon receipt of the completed donor registration forms, the Willed Body Program will send you an identification card.  The card will include your name, donor number, and a 24 hr. hotline to call at the time of death.  Your family, agent, and/or care facility should be made aware of your wish to be a donor and provided with our 24 hr. hotline for notification.

Severe trauma, excess obesity, HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and other infectious diseases, like COVID-19 at the time of death, and significant decomposition may make an anatomical donation problematic.  A final decision can only be made at the time of death.  Therefore, it is important that a survivor knows of these possibilities and is aware of the donor’s alternate plans.

If a donor decides that they no longer want to be a registered donor, simply provide a statement of withdrawal or cancellation in writing or complete the linked cancellation form.

UCI Willed Body Program Anatomical Gift Revocation Statement

Mail to:
UCI Willed Body Program
252 Irvine Hall
Irvine, CA 92697-3950

A documented physician assisted suicide will not result in refusal at the time of death.

Donors are cremated and their cremated remains are scattered at sea.  No cost to the donor or family.

No, due to the undetermined length of time and how the body may be used for study, remains cannot be returned to the donor’s family.

You can update the program by calling us, or you may complete the Change of Statistical Information page and mail back to the program.

Change of Statistical Information form

The Willed Body Program staff may be able to recommend a similar program in another state where the wishes of the donor can be honored.

No payment may be made in connection with a body donation.  However, all related transportation, preparation, and final disposition costs are covered by the Willed Body Program.  This is the policy of the University of California, in accordance with state and federal law.

The program will file the Death Certificate in the jurisdiction of the local health department of the donor’s death. It can take around 2 weeks before this process is completed.  Information will be shared as to how the family or agent can obtain certified copies from the health department jurisdiction of death. While the program will provide the forms to obtain Death Certificates, only the family or authorized agent may purchase the Death Certificate from the county.  The cost of certified copies may vary by county.  Specific county information may be obtained on our Donor Family Resources page.

Yes, the UCI School of Medicine dedicated a memorial monument and bench to the generosity of its donors on its campus in 2012. Directions to the memorial site can be provided by the staff by calling the program offices at 949-824-6061.