Becoming a Pre-Registered Donor

Pre‑Registration for the Willed Body Program at UT Southwestern

The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (UT Southwestern) appreciates your interest in the Willed Body Program (Program). The Program accepts donations of human bodies for use for education and research purposes. Human bodies are valuable, not only for training new physicians, but also for conducting medical research and helping specialists develop new treatments and techniques. To achieve these education and research objectives, a Donor’s body may undergo extensive preparation.

How do I donate my body to medical research and education?

If you are interested in donating your body, you may request and complete our Pre- Registration Agreement for Donation Packet being of sound mind and at least 18 years of age. The Agreement must be completed entirely in the areas indicated and submitted it to the Program prior to your death. In the event your application is not process before your death. Another appropriate individual, such as next of kin, may arrange for donation after the donor’s death, even if the donor did not previously register with the Program.

Procedures Following a Donor’s Death

Upon the death of a Donor, the Program must be notified of the death immediately, as delay may result in the body becoming unsuitable for the Program.

Program Acceptance

The Program will transport and prepare the donated body, if accepted, for education and research. The Program will determine whether a donated body may be accepted and the manner in which an accepted body will be utilized. The Program may decline a donation for the following reason

• Donor outside of the Programs radius. ( Please contact the office regarding specific radius we serve the DFW are and surrounding counties.)
• Donor has been embalmed
• Donor has a contagious disease (such as HIV, Hepatitis, TB, etc.)
• Donor is otherwise unsuitable for education and research purposes.

Donation Declined

If the Program does not accept a body, the Donor’s survivors will need to make other arrangements for the final disposition of the body, and UT Southwestern is not responsible for any costs associated with these other arrangements.

After Studies Have Been Completed

We are deeply grateful for every donor and the generous gift they provide in support of education and research. In accordance with state law, all donors are respectfully cremated after studies are completed.

Return of Cremated Remains

• Cremated remains may be returned to the donor’s next of kin if this request was made in advance.
• Cremated remains are usually returned within 18 to 24 months after completion of studies.
• Donors should discuss their wishes with their next of kin.
• In some instances, partial cremated remains or no cremated remains may be available due to the nature of the research.
• Once cremation has taken place, next of kin will receive a written notification explaining the available options.
• These options include:
• Receiving the cremated remains by certified mail
• Scheduling an in‑person appointment to receive the remains
• Burial at the Memorial Garden

For additional information regarding cremated remains please visit our Family Support Tab. Our staff is here to help and support you and our donors' families through this process.

For Additional Information

• Common Questions

  Please keep a copy of your completed agreement for your records. 

  Option 1: Mail 
  Willed Body Program 
  UT Southwestern Medical Center 
  PO Box 35227 
  Dallas, TX 75235‑0227 

  Option 2: Email 
  Submit a legible, signed, scanned copy of your completed agreement to: 
  Email

• After Submission 

  Once received and reviewed, you will be notified by mail or email of your pre‑registration status.  Processing may take up to 45 business days. 

  Contact the Willed Body Program — Pre-Registration Services
  Phone: (214) 648-2221, Option 3
  Fax: (214) 648-4506
  WBMembershipServices@utsouthwestern.edu

  Our staff are available to provide guidance and support throughout the pre‑registration process.

 

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