How to Donate a Body for Research in Rockford, Illinois
Donating a body to science is one of the most generous gifts an individual can make. When making end-of-life plans, it is important to consider what to do with the earthly remains. The Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois states that there are a number of different uses for the whole human body, including medical school study, medical research and medical instrument development. Donating a body from Rockford, Illinois, is a relatively straightforward proposition.
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Instructions
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Choose which organization to which you would like to donate the human body. In Illinois, there are a few statewide organizations to do so, including the Biological Resource Center, the Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois and the Northern Illinois University Department of Biological Sciences (see Resources).
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Each human body donation organization has a different consent form. Fill out a consent form. Northern Illinois University's form is called the Declaration of Consent. The Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois and Biological Resource Center have similar forms. NIU suggests putting your intentions into your last will and testament and keeping a copy of the consent form with your will.
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Notify your next of kin about your decision. This will minimize any potential surprises regarding your wishes.
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Pay for the body transportation costs if you are donating to the University of Northern Illinois or the Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois. The Biological Resource Center pays for body transportation.
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It can take more than two years to get cremated remains back. Appoint a person whom the cremated remains will be sent back to after use and include this name in the consent form. Northern Illinois University states that remains may take more than a year to be sent back to the family. The Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois reports that it may take more than two years before the remains are returned.
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Tips & Warnings
Determine which anatomical donation organization best suits your needs before signing any paperwork.
Call the organization you are interested in with any questions.
The person donating body must be 18 or older.
There are diseases such as AIDS and rabies that rule out donation.
It is important to verify that whole body donation comports with your religious tradition.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit human body image by Alhazm Salemi from Fotolia.com signing image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com brass urn image by Richard J Thompson from Fotolia.com
