Whole Body Donation in Illinois
In Alabama, whole body donation is a generous choice, and it comes with no-cost cremation for the family left behind. Through MERI’s Genesis Whole Body Donation Program, families in Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville, Mobile, Tuscaloosa and everywhere between can donate at no cost. Alabama is one of the 19 states Genesis serves. Transportation to Memphis, the death certificate and cremation are all taken care of, so your family is spared the expense, and your gift helps prepare the next generation of physicians.
What the Genesis Program Covers for Illinois 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 Illinois
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 Illinois 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 Illinois
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 Illinois, including the Chicago metro area, and other states in its service area. The service area can change over time, so our team confirms current availability with each family.
How to Register With Genesis From Illinois
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.
Request or download the Genesis donor registration forms.
Return the forms to Genesis to record your wishes.
Mailing Address & Contact
MERI, 44 South Cleveland, Memphis, TN 38104. 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 Illinois
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
Illinois Whole Body Donation
Yes. Illinois is part of the Genesis service area, and Genesis arranges transport from within Illinois to Memphis. The service area can change, so please confirm current availability with the Genesis team before you begin.
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
