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.
Your gift helps train physicians, surgeons and other medical professionals, and supports research that improves care for others.
For accepted donors, there is no cost to your family. Genesis covers transport, the death certificate, cremation and the return of cremated remains.
Whole body donation ends in cremation rather than burial, which some families see as a simpler and more environmentally conscious choice.
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.
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.
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.
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 Kansas and other states in its service area. The service area can change over time, so our team confirms current availability with each family.
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
MERI, 44 South Cleveland, Memphis, TN 38104. Phone (901) 278-7841 or (877) 288-4483.
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.
Yes. Kansas is within the Genesis service area, and Genesis arranges transport from within Kansas to Memphis. Service areas can change, so please confirm current availability with the Genesis team before you register.
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.
44 South Cleveland Memphis, TN 38104
If you require additional assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for more help. Please fill out the form below for further assistance and we will get back with you as soon as possible.
If you need immediate assistance from our Genesis team,
please call 877-288-4483.
44 South Cleveland Memphis, TN 38104