Frequently Asked Questions

A donor cannot be a known carrier of certain infectious/communicable diseases at death. A body should not be embalmed. Bodies that are obese or emaciated are also unlikely to be accepted. Tufts University School of Medicine upholds the right to decline any donation. Alternative arrangements should be made in the event that the gift can not be accepted.

Your donation will be used for one to two years.

An individual must be 18 years or older. Otherwise, there is no age limit to donate.

Many families do not agree with the donors' decisions to donate. You should make your wishes clear to your family and help them understand how you came to your decision to donate your body. If your family understands why, they will be less likely to act against your wishes at the time of your death.

Tufts University School of Medicine will cremate remains, at the expense of Tufts University, and release cremains to the next-of-kin. If the donor or donor's family would prefer, the remains can be released to the executor or next-of-kin for private burial at the expense of the estate.

Any competent person over the age of 18 can arrange to donate his or her body for medical education.