Whole-body donation makes an invaluable contribution to medical research and education, and the advancement of healthcare. By donating your body to science, you support the development of new medical procedures, enhance the training of healthcare professionals, and contribute to groundbreaking research.
United Tissue Network (UTN) is a nonprofit organization that coordinates whole-body donations in Arizona, ensuring that donors are treated with dignity and respect. This guide provides everything you need to know about registering for whole-body donation in Arizona, from eligibility requirements to the donation process and frequently asked questions.
The Benefits of Donating Your Body to Science
Choosing to donate your body to science offers several advantages, both for medical progress and for the donor and their family.
Advancement of Medical Research and Education
A significant benefit of whole-body donation is its role in medical advancements. Donated bodies provide medical students, surgeons, and researchers with opportunities to:
- Practice surgical techniques and procedures in real-world conditions
- Develop medical devices and treatment options
- Train in anatomy, pathology, and forensic science
- Gain a greater understanding of disease progression
- Develop emergency trauma response protocols
Without whole-body donors, medical institutions would have limited opportunities to refine their skills and test innovative treatments before they reach the public. Despite the sophistication of 3D models, there really is no substitute for human tissue for learning and testing. Donated bodies allow medical students and surgeons to improve their skills so the first time they do a procedure, it’s not on a live patient.
Support for Local Medical Communities
Whole-body donations contribute directly to medical education and research in Arizona. Institutions rely on donated bodies to train the next generation of healthcare professionals and to improve patient care. Your donation could play a critical role in helping local hospitals, universities, and research organizations find solutions for complex medical challenges.
Past body donations have led to significant medical breakthroughs.
| MEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS ASSOCIATED WITH WHOLE BODY DONATIONS | ||
| Heart disease | Parkinson’s | Colorectal cancer |
| Kidney disease | Spinal cord injuries | Stomach cancer |
| Liver disease | Lung cancer | Diabetes |
| Alzheimer’s | Breast cancer | Circulatory system disorders |
| Dementia | Prostate cancer | COPD |
Financial Relief for Families
Many families find comfort in the fact that whole-body donation can ease the financial burden of end-of-life arrangements. In Arizona, United Tissue Network covers the costs of body transportation, cremation, and the return of cremated remains to the family upon request. This can provide peace of mind to loved ones during a difficult time, as traditional funeral and burial costs can be substantial.
The Disadvantages of Donating Your Body to Science
While whole-body donation has many benefits, it may not be the right choice for everyone. Here are a few of the disadvantages of donating your body to science you will want to consider.
Emotional Considerations
Some families may struggle with the idea of their loved one’s body being used for research and education. It’s essential to discuss your decision with family members and ensure they understand and respect your wishes.
Conversely, many families find comfort in knowing that the passing of a loved one contributes to the greater good and helping future generations.
Limitations on Traditional Funeral Services
Because whole-body donation involves the immediate transfer of the donor’s body to a research facility, families may not have the opportunity to hold a traditional viewing or burial service. However, a memorial service can still be held to honor the donor’s life when you register your body for science.
For example, many families choose to hold a memorial service at home or at a funeral home, chapel, or public venue and then gather again for a more private ceremony to scatter the cremated remains at a later date. In fact, many families prefer the flexibility this offers, allowing them time to plan a fitting tribute and give friends and family members time to plan their travel.
Eligibility Restrictions
Not everyone is eligible to donate their body to science. Certain medical conditions and circumstances may disqualify individuals.
In other cases, many programs have limits on the number of donated bodies they can accept. Once they have met their goal for a particular study or program, they may no longer be able to accommodate you. That’s one of the reasons why families work with UTN rather than an individual medical facility. UTN works with a wide network of medical research and educational facilities to place donated bodies with reputable institutions with immediate needs.
The Pros and Cons of Whole-Body Donation for Medical Science
| PROS | CONS |
| Contributes to medical research and education | Some medical conditions may disqualify you from donation |
| Provides financial relief for families | Emotional considerations for loved ones |
| Supports local medical institutions | No traditional funeral services |
| Ensures a lasting legacy | Requires advanced planning and discussion |
How to Donate a Body to Science
United Tissue Network (UTN) is dedicated to providing a simple, ethical, and compassionate process for individuals who wish to donate their bodies to science. As the only nonprofit body donation organization in Arizona, UTN ensures that donors and their families receive the highest level of care and support. Donating through UTN contributes to medical research and education and ensures that the donor’s wishes are honored with dignity and respect.
Am I Eligible to Donate My Body to Science?
Most individuals aged 18 and older can register for whole-body donation. Unlike organ donation which has stringent requirements for viability, whole-body donation through UTN accepts most individuals, regardless of age or medical history.
There is no upper age limit for donors, and many medical conditions, including chronic diseases, do not prevent donation. UTN also considers a wide range of body types, and BMI is generally not a disqualifying factor.
What Disqualifies You from Donating Your Body to Science?
While most people are eligible to donate their bodies to science, certain medical conditions may disqualify a donor. UTN cannot accept donations from individuals with infectious or communicable diseases such as HIV/AIDS or hepatitis, as these conditions can pose risks to medical professionals and researchers handling the donated bodies.
Some individuals may require further evaluation at the time of passing, including testing and a review of their medical history, to determine suitability for donation.
How to Give Your Body to Science
This process to register your body for science is simple. If you want to learn about the body donation program and how it works in Arizona, visit this page on the United Tissue Network website. You can also call one of our Donor Coordinators at (877) 738-6111 if you have questions or would like to learn more.
Once you have decided you want to move forward, follow these simple steps to register your body for science:
- Pledge yourself or register a loved one by filling out an online form and providing a brief medical history.
- You will need to grant formal consent to participate in the body donation program and have it witnessed by two individuals. Only one can be a family member. However, you can handle this process online securely without having to have everyone present in the same place at the same time.
- Connect with a UTN team member to discuss your information, get answers to any questions you have, and finalize your registration.
- You will receive a Digital Donor Certificate which demonstrates your acceptance into the body donation program.
Pre-registering can help make the process go smoother and more quickly at the time of death. You can also register someone when death is imminent or even after they pass away, although you will want to call UTN immediately in this case to avoid any challenges.
What Happens When You Donate Your Body to Science?
Once you have been accepted into the program, a family member should contact UTN immediately when a registered donor passes away. UTN will work with families, medical facilities, hospitals, hospice centers, or funeral homes to arrange for the transportation of the body and placement with a reputable medical research and educational facility.
Depending on timing and location, the body may need to be preserved through refrigeration to prevent decomposition. In Arizona, embalming is only required if the body isn’t refrigerated promptly after death or is being shipped.
Once the body is received at the medical education or research facility, it is available for scientists, students, and surgeons to utilize as part of the appropriate program.
Donated bodies are utilized in a variety of ways, including training medical students, helping surgeons refine techniques, and assisting in the development of new treatments and medical devices. These contributions play a vital role in the advancement of healthcare and the improvement of patient outcomes.
Cremation and Return of Cremated Remains
The research phase can vary greatly in length, from a few weeks to a month or even years for some studies. After the completion of medical research, the donor’s body is respectfully cremated at no cost. Upon request, the cremated remains can be returned to family members in a temporary container or disposed of in an ethical manner.
Family members can choose to keep the cremated remains or hold a special remembrance ceremony to scatter the remains.
After cremation, the remains are sterile. As there is no health hazard from the remains, there are few restrictions on where you can scatter them. You will need the permission of any private land owners and should check with state or local park authorities to make sure you follow their guidelines and any restrictions they may have. For example, most federal and state parks allow for scattering ceremonies, but may have designated areas to do so. You also have the option to keep the remains in ceremonial urns or containers, bury the remains in a cemetery, disperse them in a scattering garden, or store them in a columbarium.
Many Arizona families choose among the wide number of scenic and memorable places across the state to scatter remains. Some of the more common locations include:
| SCENIC LOCATIONS THAT MANY FAMILIES CHOOSE FOR SCATTERING REMAINS IN ARIZONA | |
| Sedona | Monument Valley |
| Lake Powell | Horseshoe Bend |
| Tonto National Forest | Mt. Lemmon |
| Saguaro National Park | Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument |
| Watson Lake | White Mountains |
| The Superstition Mountains | San Francisco Peaks |
How to Donate a Body to Science
There are also options for aerial scatterings through designated companies, which you can find online. If you choose to disperse remains at sea or in waterways, there are some guidelines from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that you should follow.
Why Choose UTN for Body Donation
United Tissue Network provides an ethical, transparent, and respectful process for whole-body donation.
A Nonprofit Organization with a Mission
UTN is the only nonprofit whole-body donation organization in Arizona, meaning that its primary focus is on advancing medical research and education rather than profit. This ensures that all donations are handled with the utmost care and integrity.
High Ethical Standards and Accreditation
UTN is accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), ensuring compliance with the highest industry standards. Additionally, UTN follows all legal and ethical guidelines outlined in the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act (UAGA), which governs body donation practices.
Compassionate Support for Donors and Families
The UTN team is committed to providing guidance and support throughout the donation process. Team members assist families with paperwork, answer questions, and ensure that every step is handled with compassion and care.
FAQ—Frequently Asked Questions About Donating Your Body to Science
Should I be an organ donor?
At any time, there are more than 100,000 people on the waiting list for organs, most of whom are dealing with life-threatening diseases. You can sign up to become an organ donor in Arizona at DonateLifeAZ.org.
Can I be an organ donor and whole body donor?
Yes, it is possible to be both an organ donor and a whole-body donor, although you will need to register for both separately. At the time of death, organ donation takes priority for life-saving needs. After organ donation, the remaining body may still be eligible for whole-body donation.
How does UTN ensure the respectful handling of donated bodies?
UTN adheres to strict ethical standards and legal requirements to ensure that all donations are treated with dignity. Every step of the process is carried out with the utmost care to honor the donor’s gift.
How do I register to donate my body to science?
Register your body for science online at United Tissue Network. When you make a whole body donation, you are helping future generations and getting free cremation.
United Tissue Network offers a seamless and compassionate donation process at no cost to families. If you are considering a whole body donation, contact UTN today to learn more about registering as a donor.
