Whole Body Donation in West Virginia: Donate Your Body to Science
Residents of West Virginia can donate their body to science through the Genesis program at MERI, a nonprofit dedicated to medical education and research. Genesis serves West Virginia and arranges transport from within the service area to MERI in Memphis, Tennessee. For accepted donors, there is no cost to the family. If you would like to learn more or pre-register, our team is here to help, with no pressure.
What the Genesis Program Covers for West Virginia Families
Legacy
Your gift helps train physicians, surgeons and other medical professionals, and supports research that improves care for others.
Financial
For accepted donors, there is no cost to your family. Genesis covers transport, the death certificate, cremation and the return of cremated remains.
Environmental Responsibility
Whole body donation ends in cremation rather than burial, which some families see as a simpler and more environmentally conscious choice.
Peace of Mind
MERI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, accredited by the AATB, founded in 1994. See how we ensure donation safety and the AATB at aatb.org.
How to Donate Your Body to Science in West Virginia
You can pre-register now for yourself, or a legal authorizing party can begin the process at the time of need. See how to donate your body to science for more.
Complete and sign the Genesis donor registration forms.
At the time of passing, your family or legal authorizing party calls Genesis. A real person answers.
Genesis arranges and covers transportation of the donor from within the service area to MERI in Memphis, Tennessee.
Your loved one is cared for at MERI for approximately 6 to 12 months.
Cremated remains are returned to your family.
How West Virginia Donors Support Medical Training
MERI is a nonprofit bioskills facility in Memphis, Tennessee, where physicians and surgeons train and researchers advance medical care. Donors make that training possible, and every donor is cared for with dignity and respect.
Who Qualifies for Body Donation in West Virginia
Most adults can become donors. You must be at least 18 and able to record your wishes, or have a legal authorizing party act on your behalf.
A donor must be free of certain infectious diseases that could pose a risk. Final suitability is assessed at the time of death, so we recommend keeping a backup plan such as direct cremation. See the rules for donating your body to science.
Genesis currently serves families across West Virginia and other states in its service area. West Virginia is currently accepting new pre-registrations.
How to Register With Genesis From West Virginia
You may pre-sign into the body donation program by filling out the donor forms now, or at the time of death, by a legal authorizing party that uses the Third Party Authorization form in the donor packet linked above.
Request or download the Genesis donor registration forms.
Complete and sign the forms.
Return the forms to Genesis to record your wishes
Mailing Address & Contact
Phone (901) 278-7841 or (877) 288-4483.
No-Cost Cremation for Accepted Donors
For donors accepted into the Genesis program, cremation is provided at no cost to the family, along with transport, the death certificate and the return of cremated remains. Acceptance is decided at the time of death, so we suggest keeping a backup plan such as direct cremation.
Learn More About Whole Body Donation in West Virginia
The Genesis Donation Process, Step by Step
Whether you pre-register or a legal authorizing party begins the process, these are the steps.
Frequently Asked Questions About
West Virginia Whole Body Donation
Yes. West Virginia is within the Genesis service area and is currently accepting new pre-registrations.
For donors accepted into the program, Genesis covers cremation and related services. We describe it as no-cost for accepted donors.
No. Suitability is determined at the time of death, so we recommend keeping a backup direct-cremation plan.
Transport, the death certificate, cremation, and the return of cremated remains in about 6 to 12 months. It does not include a traditional funeral, embalming or open-casket viewing.
Yes. Whole body donation does not prevent a memorial. Families often hold a memorial in the way that suits them.
Contact the Genesis team at (901) 278-7841 or (877) 288-4483, or use the MERI whole body donation program page. A short pre-registration records your wishes.
