Anatomical Gift Frequently Asked Questions

An anatomical gift refers to whole body donation. Through the Stanford Anatomical Gift Program, donors play an essential role in the training and education of Stanford medical students, residents, and surgeons. Anatomical donation allows students to train in clinical science, surgical techniques, and perform research that improves healthcare.

The steps for registration are as follows: 

1. Navigate to our Registration webpage. Print or request an information packet and registration form to be sent to you. You may also submit your registration via our new online submission form.

2. Review the information packet and fill out the registration form with your power of attorney (if applicable) and 2 witnesses or notary. 

3. Make copies of the completed registration form and share copies with necessary parties. 

4. Submit your registration forms via the online form, mail, email, or fax. 

Please visit our Registration webpage for more information and details. 

Once your registration with the Anatomical Gift Program is complete, you will receive a confirmation letter, and your information will remain in our database. 

In order to register to be an Anatomical Gift Program donor, you must be at least 18 years old at the time of registration. A power of attorney may sign the registration documents on your behalf if you are unable to sign for yourself. 

There are some conditions that disqualify a donor from being accepted to the Anatomical Gift Program:

• Organ donation

• Has a contagious blood-borne disease: Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis 

• Weighs over 220 lb 

• Is outside a 150 mile radius from Stanford
• Under a Coroner's Hold
• Accident victim
• Undergone autopsy

We cannot guarantee in advance that your body will be accepted for donation. We recommend registrants inform family members of the donation procedures and have alternate arrangements planned in case anatomical donation is not a possibility. 

Cancers, dementia, Parkinson's, transplants, artificial limbs, living organ transplantation, pacemaker are examples of medical conditions or histories that are acceptable for Anatomical Gift Program donors and will not exclude them from donation.

As of 2023, Covid-19 is no longer an exlusion criteria for Anatomical Gift Program donors. 

The Anatomical Gift program is a whole-body donation program and as such, we cannot accept bodies that have undergone organ donation.

No, advanced age is not an exclusion criteria in anatomical donation. 

Yes, donors who legally arranged a Death with Dignity are eligible to donate their body to Stanford. All procedures and policies for registration remain the same. 

The Anatomical Gift Program is capable of transporting donors from within a 150-mile radius of the Stanford campus. If a death occurs outside the 150-mile radius from Stanford, we are unable to accept the donation, and families will be responsible for coordinating an alternate arrangement. 

There is no cost associated with participating in the Anatomical Gift Program. Stanford incurs all costs for transportation of the donor to the Stanford Campus and cremation. 

Unfortunately, because of the timeliness of anatomical donation (within 12 hours of death), it is not possible for donors to be embalmed elsewhere or to be present at a funeral or viewing. We understand this can be a deeply personal choice for donors and their families. We strongly encourage potential donors to discuss with family members ahead of time. 

Stanford does not provide death certificates. All additional copies of death certificates must be obtained from the County Clerk’s office, in the county in which the donor died.

As of January 1, 2020, the Anatomical Gift Program does not return cremated remains to family members. The remains of our donors are scattered at sea in a private ceremony. 

If you change your mind, simply contact us at (650) 725-6624, email us at anatomicalgp@stanford.edu, or mail to our address to be removed from our registration list. 

Yes, the policy change of the previous Willed Body Program only affects donors who pass away after Jan 1, 2020.

*For families whose loved one passed prior to Jan 1, 2020: Your loved one is considered a "legacy donor." If you indicated at the time of death that you would like the remains returned, you will receive a phone call with more information when they are available to be picked up in Palo Alto.

If you would like to collect the remains of your loved one who donated to our program and they are considered a legacy donor, please contact us. We will help refile the death certificate and coordinate with the funeral home for your pickup of the remains. If you miss your appointment to pick-up the remains, it will be your responsibility to refile and coordinate with the funeral home to retrieve them. Due to liability issues, we are unable ship remains to individuals.

All donors accepted into the program after January 2020 will not have their cremated remains returned to their family, regardless of date of registration. The remains of our donors are scattered at sea in a private ceremony. 

While we understand that loved ones may verbally decide to donate, Stanford will only accept pre-registered donors into our program. Please consider other willed body programs in the area.