As you plan for your family's future, you may also want to consider a gift that can make a lasting impact on others. Donating your body for anatomical education, training, and research is a generous way to support the advancement of healthcare and medical learning.
For more than 100 years, body donation programs in Texas have helped educate future healthcare professionals and improve patient care. This valuable gift allows students to learn about the human body through hands-on study, helping them build the knowledge and skills needed to become effective healthcare providers.
Body donation also supports medical research and training. It helps healthcare specialists develop new techniques, improve existing procedures, and maintain the skills necessary to provide the highest quality care to their patients.
Willed Body Donation Information
At the TTUHSC Institute of Anatomical Sciences, we are deeply grateful to our donors and their families. We appreciate your interest in the Willed Body Program and recognize the importance of this generous decision.
Every donor is treated with dignity and respect. Donated bodies help advance medical education, healthcare training, clinical research, and the education of future mortuary and forensic science professionals.
To ensure that all donations are made with informed consent, the Willed Body Program accepts donations only from individuals who have chosen to donate their own body or from their legal next of kin.
In most cases, the TTUHSC Institute of Anatomical Sciences Willed Body Program coordinates transportation and completes all required state documentation at no cost to the family. This often eliminates the need to work with a funeral home. If a funeral home is involved at any point in the donation process, any related expenses are the responsibility of the family or estate unless other arrangements have been approved by Willed Body Program staff.
Throughout the donation process, our staff remains available to provide guidance and support. We maintain regular communication with families by phone and email to help ensure a smooth and respectful experience.
To register as a donor through the Willed Body Program, click Create Profile below to set up an Institute of Anatomical Sciences (IAS) account using a valid email address. Once your profile is created, sign in to your account and select Donation Form to begin your paperwork. The system will notify you if any required information is missing. After your submission is received, a member of our team will contact you by email within five business days with information regarding next steps.
Create Profile
Donation Form Requirements
For Self-Donors (before death): Individuals who wish to donate their body must complete and sign the Self-Donor Attestation section of the donation form. Two adult witnesses are also required to sign the form. Once the completed donation paperwork has been reviewed and approved, a letter of acknowledgment will be sent by email. Please allow 7 to 10 business days for processing.
For Next-of-Kin Donations (at the time of death): If a death has already occurred, the donor's legal next of kin must complete and sign the Next-of-Kin Attestation section of the donation form. Two adult witness signatures are also required to sign the form. After the completed paperwork is received, Willed Body Program staff will contact you and provide guidance on the next steps in the donation process.
Important: Please notify the Willed Body Program immediately upon the death of a prospective or registered donor by calling 806-743-2708.
Important Information for Donors and Families
- Donors may remain in our care for up to 24 months while supporting education, training, and research. After studies are completed, the donor will be cremated.
- If the return of cremated remains is requested, we will contact the designated recipient to arrange their return. There is no cost to the family for this service.
- If the return of cremated remains is not requested during registration or at the time of donation acceptance, the cremated remains will be respectfully placed in our ossuary at Resthaven Memorial Park in Lubbock, Texas. After placement, the remains cannot be retrieved, separated, identified, or returned to the family. For this reason, families should carefully consider their decision before declining the return of cremated remains. No additional notification will be provided prior to placement.
- For donors within Lubbock County: Willed Body Program staff will coordinate transportation from the place of death to our facility.
- For donors outside Lubbock County: Willed Body Program staff will discuss transportation options and determine whether the location falls within our service area.
- In addition to the information provided in the Medical Questionnaire, additional medical information may be obtained from the donor's healthcare provider at the time of death to help determine donor eligibility.
- To help ensure the donation process can proceed smoothly, our goal is to receive the donor within 12 hours of death.
- If funeral home arrangements have been made, please share that information with Willed Body Program staff as soon as possible.