Whole Body Donation for Medical Education & Scientific Progress

At United Tissue Network (UTN), we believe that whole-body donation is one of the most impactful decisions you can make for the future of medical science and education. By choosing to donate your body to science, or that of a loved one, to science, you contribute directly to the advancement of medical research, the development of new surgical techniques, and the education of the next generation of healthcare professionals.

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We Serve the Following States

UTN is proud to serve communities in:

What is Whole Body Donation?

Whole-body donation involves donating your body after death to medical research and education. This generous act is critical in helping medical professionals and students learn, save lives, and innovate treatments and interventions. Whole-body donors provide a priceless gift for those studying medicine, developing medical devices and training surgeons, doctors, and first responders.

Benefits of Whole Body Donation

Contributing to Medical Advancements

The generosity of donors provides a profound legacy of training for various programs including:

Surgical training
Medical device and drug research & development
First responder training
Training for other medical professionals

Financial Relief for Families

In addition to making a significant contribution to science, donating your body to science also alleviates the financial burden associated with traditional funerals. At United Tissue Network, we cover many costs related to passing for our donors, including cremation and transportation, potentially saving your family $1,200 to $7,000.

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The United Tissue Network Process

Getting Started with Donating Your Body to Science

At UTN, we make donating your body a straightforward process. Here’s how it works:

Register

Begin by registering yourself or your loved one with UTN.

Medical and Social History Review

A caring professional from our team will reach out with questions about medical history to ensure eligibility. If you’re registering someone who is imminent or just passed, we will walk you through the next steps.

Donor Security Certificate

Once accepted, you’ll receive a Donor Security Certificate, guaranteeing your place in our program.

What Happens After Donation

After a donation, UTN coordinates with local organizations to place the donation with a reputable medical or research organization that has been fully-vetted by our team. UTN then handles all aspects of cremation, including the return of ashes to your family if desired and copies of the death certificate (in some states).

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Why Choose UTN for Whole Body Donation?

Accredited & Ethical Practices

United Tissue Network is accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), ensuring that all donations are handled with the highest ethical standards. As the only true non-profit whole-body donation organization in Arizona, Nevada and Florida, UTN is dedicated to advancing medical research while providing compassionate and ethical care to our donors and their families.

This means donors and loved ones can rest assured knowing donors always remain anonymous, and are handled with respect and dignity.

Compassionate and Professional Support

Our dedicated staff is available 24/7 to assist you every step of the way. Whether you have questions about the donation process or need guidance during a difficult time, our compassionate team is here to help.

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Frequently Answered Questions

Yes, you can be both. UTN coordinates with organ procurement organizations to ensure that viable organs are donated for transplant first, with the rest of the body used for medical research and education.

Most individuals are eligible for whole-body donation. However, certain conditions, such as communicable diseases like HIV or hepatitis, may disqualify a donor. Each case is evaluated individually.

After the completion of medical studies, UTN handles the cremation and returns the ashes to the family, typically within 4-6 weeks, at no cost.

Complete the body donation consent form by providing personal information, medical history, and emergency contacts. The whole body donation form can be filled out online or by phone with our guidance, ensuring all legal requirements for body donation are properly documented.

Both options work effectively for whole body donation registration. Online forms provide convenience, while calling 877-738-6111 offers immediate answers about body donation eligibility and whole body donation near me availability in your area.

Organ donation and whole body donation are typically separate processes. Once organs are harvested, remaining tissues may not be suitable for body donation research purposes. Discuss options with our team to understand whole body donation compatibility.

Yes, whole body donation through UTN is completely free. We cover transportation, cremation, death certificates, and return of remains, making body donation a cost-free alternative to traditional funeral expenses for whole body donation near me participants.

UTN handles all transportation logistics for body donation. Our team coordinates pickup from the location of passing and transport to appropriate whole body donation facilities, ensuring dignified care throughout the entire body donation process.

Families receive two certified death certificates within days, and cremated remains are returned within 4-6 weeks after whole body donation completion. This timeline allows families to proceed with memorial planning while honoring their body donation commitment.

While you cannot select specific studies, your whole body donation will advance medical education and research based on institutional needs. All body donation contributions meaningfully impact medical science and training for whole body donation near me programs.

Yes, families can make additional contributions beyond whole body donation. Financial gifts complement your body donation legacy, further supporting medical advancement and education programs that benefit from whole body donation near me services.

Whole body donation doesn’t prevent memorial services. Families can hold celebrations of life while the body donation process occurs, then receive cremated remains for final ceremonies, allowing meaningful tributes alongside whole body donation near me participation.

We provide general information about how your whole body donation contributed to medical advancement. While specific research details aren’t shared, families receive updates about the educational impact of their loved one’s body donation contribution.

While UTN doesn’t write obituaries, we can provide guidance on including whole body donation information in memorial notices. Many families mention their loved one’s body donation legacy when seeking whole body donation near me alternatives to traditional burial.

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Making an Informed Decision

Ready to Start the Process or Learn More?

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