If the decedent signed a donor card indicating his wish to use his body for any purpose and he is not a candidate for an organ donation, then you can offer to release the body to the following institutions to be used for education or research:
Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois
2240 West Fillmore Street
Chicago, IL 60612
(312) 733-5283
Southern Illinois University
School of Medicine
Department of Anatomy
Carbondale, IL 62901
(618) 536-5511
You should call the institution to determine whether they will accept the body, and what their particular procedures are. Generally, they will not accept bodies from those who have died from a contagious disease or from crushing injuries. A body may not be sold for this purpose, but if they ultimately accept the donation, you are then responsible for transportation, professional, and filing fees from the funeral home. Realize that your body has certain commercial value once prepared for its purpose and it is then sold. It may take 18 months to 2 years to complete the study. Once the project is complete the remains are cremated and the cremains are returned to the family, or if the family wishes, the institution will arrange for their burial. For more information regarding body donation, handling, storage, and use of the remains, call your funeral director or the aforementioned institutions.
