Whole Body Donation

No, Whole Body Donation at Wake Forest University School of Medicine does not require pre-registration. When donor families contact our program after death occurs, we will do a brief assessment by telephone and provide a one-page form for the next of kin or assigned representative to sign. Program staff is available around the clock to receive your calls and make this assessment with an immediate decision. Contact us at the time of death at 336-716-4369.

The best way to prepare your legal next of kin and/or primary care providers to follow your wishes at the time of death is to provide them with materials that explain the procedures for donation. A copy of the checklist and consent form will guide your representative(s) and healthcare provider(s) through the required steps for donation at the occurrence of death.

To request printed materials for this purpose, please contact the program office by phone at 336-716-4369 or by email at bodydonation@wakehealth.edu.

The state of North Carolina has clear statutory guidelines regarding who will hold authority for the disposition of remains at the time of death. The best way to determine who will make those decisions for you is to designate Health Care Power of Attorney and record that choice in your medical record(s). Lacking that designation, it is helpful to ensure that your healthcare provider(s) have a copy of our program material available. Our printed program brochure also includes a paper card for your wallet that provides clear instruction to first responders and healthcare personnel to contact for donation at the occurrence of death.

To request a copy of our printed materials, including a wallet card, please contact program staff at 336-716-4369 or by email at bodydonation@wakehealth.edu.

When we speak with authorized health care personnel to confirm condition at the occurrence of death, we always ask for information as it is recorded in a potential donor’s medical history. We will confirm status regarding any communicable or infectious illness, any wounds or significant trauma, any recent surgeries or incisions, and height and weight at the time of death. We do not take a detailed medical history but will confirm the status regarding any amputations, contractures or prior surgeries. Our on-call staff is available every day of the year to assess for potential donation when the death occurs and can usually return an immediate decision with that contact. You are welcome to call our program office with specific questions at any time, 336-716-4369. We welcome your consideration and recognize the sincere generosity in your willingness to make such a positive difference in health care.

At the time of death, the family is responsible for transportation costs to deliver the body to Wake Forest University School of Medicine. At the conclusion of the study, there is no cost to the family for cremation or for the return of the cremains.

With the exception of corneas, organ donation will disqualify a body for study through our program. However, many donors choose to retain both designations. This preserves the chance for a living recipient to benefit from a life-saving donation and leaves open the possibility for whole body donation if there is no match for a living organ donation. The only way to be certain that a body would direct first to our program would be to remove the living organ donor identification and registry from your record with the DMV.

Yes. In most cases, if the body is stored properly, we can accept donation after a memorial or service. Please call our office to discuss your specific situation.

We do not compile or provide diagnostic findings. The students in our programs are learning about the human body, and while every condition will enrich their understanding, we do not release information specific to a particular donor that would identify that donor’s condition or medical history.

We are available at 336-716-4369 from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday to address any questions and concerns about participation in our program. For contact surrounding a death that occurs outside operating hours, you can reach a member of our staff through the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Services operator at 336-716-2011. We are available for those assessments 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.