UTN is a Nonprofit 501(c)(3)

Donate My Body To Science in St. Petersburg, FL

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Traditional funerals are still a very common burial option for individuals making end-of-life plans, but that doesn’t mean they’re the only option. One alternative that is becoming increasingly popular is whole body donation. As of 2022, it is estimated that around 20,000 Americans donate annually, and that number has been increasing.

What makes whole body donation an attractive choice for so many? There are a number of unique benefits of donating your body to science, of course, but the biggest advantage may be that it’s never been easier to become a donor.

Here at United Tissue Network, we’ve made it our mission to empower people who wish to donate their bodies, regardless of their current health situation. As an AATB-accredited 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we’re proud to facilitate whole body donation in St. Petersburg, FL and surrounding areas. Contact us now to become a donor!

Why Choose Whole Body Donation in St. Petersburg, FL?

For individuals entering the end-of-life phase, it’s common to ask themselves the question “What kind of legacy am I leaving behind?” If you’re someone who wants to continue making a positive impact on the world even after you’re gone, there’s no better way to do that than by choosing to donate your body to science in St. Petersburg, FL.

Those who donate through UTN have peace of mind in knowing that their tissue will go on to be used for:

  • Physician education
  • Surgical training
  • Device research and development
  • Drug research and development

Donating your body to science is a priceless gift. It assists in the development of potentially life-saving technologies, medicines, and treatment techniques that will help countless people over the course of multiple generations.

Donating vs. Other Funeral Alternatives in St. Petersburg, FL

Caskets. Headstones. Burial plots. Mortuary services. Memorial viewings. The list of expenses associated with traditional funerals often seems endless, especially for families who are unable to shoulder the financial burden.

Fortunately, whole body donation is one of the best and most affordable funeral alternatives in St. Petersburg, FL. Just how affordable is it? Once you become a registered UTN donor, you can rest assured that your loved ones won’t have to pay a single cent of funeral costs. Instead, UTN will cover every aspect of the process, from filing and documentation to transportation and storage.

Additionally, we will also provide your family with two copies of the Death Certificate at no cost.

What is the Cost of Cremation in St. Petersburg, FL?

If you’re looking for affordable alternatives to traditional funerals, you may have considered cremation instead. However, while cremation is indeed more cost-effective than traditional funerals, in the state of Florida it can still cost as much as $2,500.

If you or a loved one wish to be cremated, there’s actually a way to do that while avoiding having to pay the steep cost of cremation in St. Petersburg, FL: whole body donation through UTN. The families of those who have donated their bodies to science through UTN have two cremation options which we are proud to offer at no additional cost:

  • Once the donated tissue is no longer in use, the family can choose to have a donor’s body cremated at a local licensed crematory. The ashes will then be returned to the family within 4-6 weeks.
  • The family can choose to have the donor’s body cremated and the ashes scattered into the ocean as part of the UTN Memorial Program.

How to Donate Your Body to Science in St. Petersburg, AZ

A doctor in a labcoat sitting at a desk

Now that you know why so many people choose to be whole body donors, you may be wondering what the process is like to become one. Fortunately, UTN makes it simple.

If you or a loved one are interested in becoming a donor, all you have to do is contact UTN to register. If a potential donor is in good health and simply planning ahead, we will send some paperwork to fill out. Once that is completed, the donor will receive a Donor Pledge identification card confirming their registration.

If a potential donor is already in hospice care or has recently received a prognosis of six months or less, they or an authorized representative can contact UTN to seek pre-approval. Once the donor has been pre-approved, they will receive a Donor Security Certificate, which acts as our promise to take ownership of their remains after they have passed on.

Finally, if a potential donor has already passed on before being able to make their final wishes official, their surviving kin can contact us to arrange to have their remains transported to a CLIA-certified laboratory. There, the remains will be tested for the presence of infectious diseases. Once testing is completed, the tissue will then be placed at a qualified medical training or research organization.

If you are interested in donating your body to science in St. Petersburg, FL, or if you want to learn more about United Tissue Network, reach out to us anytime. We’re always here when you need us.

Ready to register a loved one?

Click the link below to get started: