If you are interested in donating your body, please download and complete our Membership Agreement or contact membership services at (214) 648-5029 to request our agreement by mail or email.

UT Southwestern can also accept donations of individuals that are not previously signed up with our program prior to passing and after death has occurred. The Next of kin may contact the Willed Body Program at 214-648-2221 or 1-888-905-9991 or see “Donate your loved one.”

In the event of a donor's death, the family should call the Willed Body Program at 214-648-2221 or toll-free at 1-888-905-9991. Staff members are on call 24 hours a day to receive notifications. Willed Body Program staff will handle all removal arrangements.

The Willed Body Program may decline any body that may not be suitable for scientific or educational purposes. There are a number of situations that may lead to a body not being accepted:

• If the body has been embalmed
• Cases of a contagious disease such as virulent Herpes, Hepatitis, HIV, Tuberculosis, or Ebola
• Some cases of severe obesity, emaciation, body contracture, or jaundice

If the Willed Body Program determines that the body is not usable for these reasons, or other reasons, survivors will need to make other arrangements for their loved one’s disposition. The Willed Body will not be held responsible for any costs associated with other arrangements.

No. Texas law prohibits such payments.

There is no cost to your family for donation.

Your family can pursue donation of your body to the nearest medical institution located within the state in which the death occurred. The Willed Body Program can provide assistance, if needed.

In conformation with state law, all bodies are cremated upon completion of studies.

The cremated remains may be returned to the next of kin if the request has been made in advance. Your next of kin will be notified by letter of the following options:

• Receive the ashes by certified mail
• Make an appointment to receive the ashes in person
• Burial at sea

Remains are usually returned within 18 to 24 months.

In some instances, cremated remains may not be available because of the nature of medical research.

You should discuss your wishes with your next of kin and make sure UT Southwestern is kept informed of your decision. Please make sure we always have a current address and phone number for you and your next of kin.

For families electing to not receive ashes back, a burial at sea will take place when studies are complete. We do not notify you when ashes have been scattered at sea, but you may contact our office for that information. Our burials at sea are done quarterly and take place just off the coast of Texas in the Gulf of Mexico.

You can rescind your gift by notifying us in writing.

Yes, but these arrangements must be made separately with the Transplant Services Center at UT Southwestern, 214-645-7363. We will be glad to honor such requests. Please let us know what steps have been taken toward eye donation.

Yes. You should consult an attorney for details on this; however, for UT Southwestern to accept your body, it must meet our criteria.

In addition to notifying UT Southwestern, it is important to notify your next of kin or person acting as such of your wishes. If you have no living kin, please contact our office for additional information.

Yes. If someone wishes to make a donation to UT Southwestern in honor or memory of a loved one, send it to:

UT Southwestern Medical Center
Office of Development
P.O. Box 910888
Dallas, TX 75390-0888

Please specify if the donation is intended to support the Willed Body Program or some other aspect of medical research or education.