The advancement of medicine depends on individuals donating their bodies. Each year, generous donors choose to give this precious gift to help future generations. Bodies are used for medical education, training, research, and testing to learn more about human anatomy and diseases while exploring new treatments and drugs that can improve outcomes.
United Tissue Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating whole body donation for medical science. Serving the Tampa area and throughout Florida, UTN acts as a crucial link between individuals wishing to donate their body and the researchers and educators who rely on these generous gifts.
Registering for Whole Body Donation in Tampa, FL
Registration with UTN is straightforward. You can fill out some basic information and medical history online. When the application is received, you will be connected with a Donor Coordinator who will help you finalize the process and answer any questions you have.
Donors must be at least 18 years of age, but there is no upper age limit. Most bodies are accepted, except those with a communicable disease like HIV/AIDS or hepatitis to protect the researchers and students from infection.
Pre-registration is highly recommended. It provides peace of mind, allows for informed decisions to be made well in advance, and eases the burden on loved ones during a difficult time. When a registered donor passes away, family members should contact UTN immediately. UTN will coordinate the transportation of the body from the place of death to one of their facilities, ensuring a smooth and respectful transition.
Whole Body Donation Near You: The Process
When death occurs, the body is placed with a reputable medical research or educational facility. It’s an important donation as there is a severe shortage of human tissue. Despite the advancement of medical tools and technology, there is simply no substitute for human tissue.
Whole body donation in Tampa, FL enables:
- Medical students to learn human anatomy
- Surgeons to practice new surgical procedures
- Medical professionals to study disease progression
- First responders to train for emergency treatment and trauma care
- Researchers to test medical devices and drug therapies
- Forensic scientists to study various causes of death
The duration of the donation can vary depending on the research or educational need. This can range from a few weeks to a few years, depending on the study. When research concludes, the body is transported to a licensed facility for cremation. Cremated remains are disposed of ethically or may be returned to family members upon request.
Honoring Your Loved Ones
Donating your body to science is a noble act and creates a lasting legacy for you as a donor. Many families take great comfort in knowing that this donation is helping make life better for others.
While an open casket or viewing ceremony is not an option, many families choose to hold memorial services or celebrations of life. Some also hold more intimate gatherings to scatter the cremated remains in a meaningful location or natural setting. The Tampa area has a wealth of beautiful locations where you can scatter remains.
You can legally scatter remains on private property with permission, in many local, state, and national parks, or at sea. You will want to check with the appropriate authorities to adhere to any restrictions. Several charter services do water scatterings in Tampa Bay or the Gulf following applicable laws.
Whole Body Donation in Tampa, FL: Financial Support
While you do not get paid for participating in whole body donation near you, body donation programs can help reduce your costs. For example, United Tissue Network handles the arrangements and manages the body donation process in the Tampa area, covering the cost of transportation, placement with a reputable medical research or educational facility, cremation once the research is complete, and return of the remains if desired.
This relieves the financial burden for end-of-life services, which can be significant. The average cost of a traditional cremation and service is about $5,700 in Florida, although direct cremation without services or viewing can be about $1,000. By comparison, a traditional funeral and burial exceeds $8,300.
Tampa Body Donation: Ethical Treatment
United Tissue Network upholds the highest ethical standards and treats donors and family members with respect and dignity. Accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), UTN adheres to the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA) and all state laws and regulations.
Learn more about whole body donation near you in the Tampa area. Call United Tissue Network at (877) 738-6111 or pre-register to become a whole body donor.
