Full Body Donation Program: Give the Gift of Knowledge

Full Body Donation Program at MERI: Honoring Life,
Advancing Knowledge.

She already gets her eyes, sense of humor, and adventurous spirit from you. Why not leave her a legacy of service as well, with the ultimate gift that will benefit medical science for her, her children, and beyond.

Important Notice Regarding Whole-Body Donation in Texas

Genesis deeply regrets to inform Texas residents of a temporary change impacting anatomical donations. The Texas Funeral Service Commission (TFSC) has recently implemented a temporary pause on accepting donations from Texas residents who wish to donate their bodies to science out of state.

Find more information here.

Whole Body Donor Forms

Why Choose Our Whole Body Donation Program

Legacy

Our whole body donation program allows you to take part in groundbreaking medical training and research, even after passing away. You have the opportunity to make a significant and enduring impact on the lives of millions of people, providing them with a greater chance for a better life

Financial

At no expense to your family, Genesis provides transportation, a death certificate, and cremation services. The Genesis body donation program offers a dignified and honorable alternative for families who may either be financially drained or opposed to traditional, costly funerals.

Environmental Responsibility

Ashes are returned to your loved ones or interred in a mausoleum in the Memphis area, avoiding the ecological burden of a typical burial.

Peace of Mind

During their time with us, donors are treated with the utmost respect and dignity. At MERI’s body donation program, each donor is regarded as a living patient for every medical training procedure performed. MERI holds accreditation from the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) and is licensed by the New York State Department of Health.

How Do I Become a Donor?

To pre-register for our whole-body donation program, you have the option to complete the donor forms ahead of time, or in the event of your passing, a legal authorizing party may utilize the Third-Party Authorization form included in the donor packet linked above to arrange for donation.

01

Complete the donor registration forms.

02

Inform your family or legal authorizing party to contact Genesis at time of death.

03

Upon notification, Genesis provides transportation of the donor to the MERI and files appropriate paperwork including death certificates.

04

Donor participates in medical education, training, and research for 6-12 months.

05

Cremated remains are returned to a loved one or interred in a mausoleum in the Memphis area.

What Happens

The Medical Education and Research Institute (MERI) in Memphis, TN is the non-profit organization that supports the Genesis Whole Body Donation Program. Donors make critical education and training possible through their selfless and generous gift for physicians, surgeons, nurses, EMTs, and other medical professionals from around the world. These professionals come to the MERI to gain invaluable hands-on experience in the latest medical techniques and technologies, taking this newfound knowledge back to their patients.

Donor Requirements

Acceptance is contingent on each donor’s medical suitability at the time of death. MERI’s Board, staff, faculty, students and researchers appreciate all who generously plan and hope to become anatomic donors. These gifts allow for the continuous improvement of patient care.

MERI must limit its acceptance of anatomic donors to those donors who at the time of death can be “good teachers,” free of infectious diseases that could harm the learner. Additionally, the donor’s physical condition must be suitable to create a safe, high-quality learning experience.

We cannot accept a donor who has moved to or passed away in a state that is not within the Genesis service area.

Donor Registration Forms

To submit your donor registration forms, please complete the following steps:

01

Download the Genesis Donor Forms. (You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed to open this type of file.)

02

Complete the forms online and then print OR print first and complete neatly by hand.

03

The completed forms MUST be hand signed by the donor and two (2) witnesses.

04

Mail the completed and signed Donor Forms packet to:

Genesis Whole Body Donation Program
Medical Education & Research Institute
44 South Cleveland
Memphis, TN 38104

Forms can also be mailed to you to complete and return. Please click here to be directed to our online request form

Learn More About Whole Body Donation

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The Genesis Donation Process

You may pre-sign into the body donation program by filling out the donor forms available here, or at the time of death, a legal authorizing party may arrange for the donation using the Third Party Authorization form in the donor packet linked above.

01

Complete and submit Donor Registration Forms. (A legal authorizing party may arrange for the donation as well)

02

Inform your family/legal authorizing party to contact Genesis at time of death

03

When notified, Genesis will provide transportation of the donor to the MERI

04

MERI will fill all appropriate paperwork including death certificate

05

Within 6 weeks the legal authorizing party will receive a single copy of the death certificate

06

Each donor will spend 6-12 months at the MERI.

07

Once the donor has completed their time, the MERI will have each donor cremated.

08

Upon cremation of the donor, the cremated remains may be returned to the person designated by the donor, or the donor’s cremated remains can be interred in a mausoleum in the Memphis, TN area.

What is the primary purpose of the Genesis Whole Body Donation Program?

Donors make critical education and training possible through their selfless and generous gift for physicians, surgeons, nurses, EMTs, and other medical professionals. Professionals come gain invaluable hands-on experience in the latest medical techniques and technologies, taking this newfound knowledge back to their patients.

Is there a waiting period for the Genesis Whole Body Donation Program?

Unlike some programs that require you to wait after registering, we have no waiting period. You can become a whole-body donor with us at any time, before your death or even at the time of your passing

What are legal authorizing parties?

A legal authorizing party is someone who gives another person the official okay to act on their behalf in a specific situation. Think of it as giving someone your permission to handle things for you, but in a legal way.
Here's a breakdown:

Legal: It's done following the law to make sure things are done properly.
Authorizing: They give the official go-ahead.
Party: This can be a person or a business.

Click here for more information about legal authorizing parties.

What Happens When You Donate Your Body to Science?

When you donate your body to science, it becomes a vital resource for medical research. Your donation can be used to study diseases, develop new medical treatments, and test surgical procedures. This contribution is crucial in advancing medical knowledge and improving healthcare for future generations.

What Happens to Bodies Donated to Medical Schools?

Donated bodies are invaluable in medical schools, where they are primarily used for teaching anatomy and surgical techniques. Medical students gain hands-on experience, which is essential for their development into skilled and knowledgeable healthcare professionals. This practical exposure is fundamental to the educational process, helping to shape the future of medical care.

Do you have to have the Covid-19 vaccine to participate in our program?

Participation in the Genesis Whole Body Donation Program is open to all qualified donors, regardless of vaccination status. COVID-19 vaccination is not a requirement for donation.

What states do you accept whole-body donors?

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia.

My husband's life mission was to help his fellow man, and how with the help of the MERI, he continues to help others. When my time comes, I will follow my husband's example.

Leigh Walden

Genesis Donor Family

MERI is a wonderful place. They treated my husband with so much respect, as well as my family and I.

Janice Ward

Genesis Donor Family

Being a MERI donor is a very rewarding experience. It will enable me to offer a priceless service to mankind that has fulfilled a lifelong wish of mine... It is a miracle.

Louise Bizub

Genesis Pre-Registered Donor