Whole Body Donation (Body Bequeathal) is the donation your entire body to science, through a school of anatomy. Your body will assist with training, education and research.
Within Ontario, there are eight institutions that welcome your generous donation: Canadian Memorial Chiropractic Hospital, McMaster University, Queen’s University, University of Guelph, University of Ottawa, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, and Western University.
These links will take you to their specific donor pages, but below you will also find all the contact information you will need!
Restrictions
Most Anatomy Schools will not be able to accept bodies; who have died by suicide, homicide, or accident, who have had autopsies, or are contagious, or who have already been embalmed, who are beyond 48 hours after death, or who were organ donors (except corneas). They may also not be able to accept a body donation because of capacity issues.
Please be prepared to have alternative arrangements made, in case body donation is not available.
Afterwards?
2-5 years after anatomical donation, cremation will take place. The cremated remains will become available to the family at this time, to claim for private burial, should they so desire.
Many schools of anatomy offer burial grounds, at their cost, for these cremated remains.
How To Arrange For A Body Donation
(It’s advisable to use the educational institution closest to your place of death.)
How to become a donor
For further information regarding the Body Donation Program at CMCC, please contact the Anatomy Department at anatomy@cmcc.ca or 416 482 2340 x 221.
How to become a donor
Contact 905-525-9140 ext 22273 or write McMaster University, Education Program in Anatomy, 1280 Main St. West, HSC 1R1, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1 to obtain a “Donation of Body to School of Anatomy” form. Part 1 of the form is to be completed and returned to the Education Program in Anatomy. A duplicate is to be retained and should be readily available to the next-of-kin or executor, with whom it is strongly advised the potential donor discuss their wishes. Following the death of a donor, the next-of-kin or executor must be in a position to act immediately on their behalf. Timing is crucial. We also urge potential donors to complete the donor card which the Education Program in Anatomy at McMaster University will send them. This card should be carried at all times.
What happens at the time of death?
Upon a potential donor’s death, a physician or coroner must issue a Medical Proof of Death Certificate. The estate executor must notify the Education Program in Anatomy at McMaster University immediately. If the body of the donor is acceptable and required, the Education Program in Anatomy will make the necessary arrangements to transport the body from the place of death. Transportation costs will be billed to the estate of the donor. The estate executor must provide the donor’s SIN, proof of birth (or passport or baptismal certificate), and the full names and birth places for both of the donor’s parents. The Education Program in Anatomy will issue twelve Proof of Death certificates.
How to become a donor
By writing to the Human Body Donor Program, Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Botterell Hall, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6. One copy of the form entitled ‘Donation of Body to School of Anatomy’ should be completed and mailed. Only completion of Part 1 is required to indicate your intention to donate your body. The second copy should be retained for your records and if possible, this information should be accessible to your next-of-kin or executor.
Arrangements at the Time of Death
Please contact the Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences at Queen’s University at the following phone number and follow the instructions provided.
613.533.2600
The Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences will determine whether the body can be accepted for the purpose of medical education and research. If acceptable, arrangements for transportation are made through a funeral home or cremation service. Transportation costs and arrangements are the responsibility of the estate.
How to Become a Donor
The necessary information and forms may be obtained by contacting the Human Anatomy Program at the University of Guelph.
519-824-4120 extension 56171
519-400-4630 (24 Hour Human Body Donation Line)
anatomy@uoguelph.ca
Human Anatomy Program
Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences
College of Biological Science
University of Guelph
Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1
After contacting the Human Anatomy Program, you will receive a ‘Donation of Body to School of Anatomy’ form (Part I and Part II) and a Donor Card.
Part I of the form must be completed and returned to the Human Anatomy Program. You will retain Part II (a duplicate form). Part II should be readily available to the next-of-kin or executor. We recommend keeping your Donor Card with your health insurance card, so it may be found readily.
How to become a donor
The necessary information and forms may be obtained by contacting the Anatomy Division at the University of Ottawa.
These forms should be completed and delivered to the medical school:
- Donation of Body to School of Anatomy,
- Part 1 (by you, the donor in advance) OR
- Part II (by your next-of-kin or executor after death);
- Abbreviated surgical history;
The second copy of the first form should be retained for your records, and be readily available to your next-of-kin/executor. You are strongly advised to discuss your wishes with your next-of-kin/executor, since they must approve the body donation at the time of death.
Arrangements at the Time of Death
Your next-of-kin/executor or a representative of the funeral home of their choice must contact the Anatomy Division, University of Ottawa, at (613) 562-5800, ext. 8174 or (613) 562-5475, immediately following your death. If your body is deemed acceptable for anatomical studies and space is available, your next-of-kin/executor or the funeral home representative will make the necessary arrangements for transportation of your body to the University of Ottawa. Transportation costs are the responsibility of your estate or your next-of-kin/executor, and will be billed accordingly.
How to become a donor
In order that your wish be followed, we suggest that you complete a Donation Consent Form. The form is completed in duplicate and the original is then returned to the Division of Anatomy at the University of Toronto where it is kept on file.
To obtain a copy of the Donation Consent Form and details of the Willed Body Program please contact the Division of Anatomy as indicated below:
Request in writing:
Division of Anatomy
University of Toronto
1132-1 King’s College Circle
University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
M5S 1A8
Request by telephone:
Anatomy Office: 416-978-2692
Request by email (please include your full mailing address & postal code with request):
anatomy@utoronto.ca
How do become a donar
Download Form A: Declaration of Intent to Bequeath One’s Body (PDF) or contact Ms. Tamara Maciel, School of Anatomy Teaching Laboratory Coordinator, at 519-888-4567, ext. 33717 or tamara.maciel@uwaterloo.cato have a copy of the form mailed to you.
Please print this form, complete the required information, and make several copies for your records. A copy of this form should be readily accessible by your executor and/or loved ones at the time of your death. You may also want to provide a copy to your family physician and lawyer.
Mail the original form to:
Tamara Maciel
B.C. Matthews Hall, Room 0613
University of Waterloo
200 University Ave. West
Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1
Instructions for time-of-death
Please contact Tamara Maciel at 519-888-4567 x33717 immediately for further instructions. If you are calling outside of regular office hours (weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) please contact University of Waterloo Campus Police at 519-888-4911 and they will reach Ms. Maciel on your behalf. You can expect a call back from her within 3 hours.
It is helpful if there is a physician, nurse, coroner, or other health care practitioner available to provide Ms. Maciel with the necessary medical information.
At this time you should also contact the funeral home that you are choosing to work with. The funeral home may be able to remove the body from the place of death and they will need to meet with the family in order to gather the information needed for registration of the death.
How to become a donor
Advise your executor and family of your wish, and leave a signed copy of a *Form ‘A’ with them or with your important papers. It is important to have your executors aware of your desire to donate your body since the executor will need to make decisions regarding your final disbursement immediately after your death and before your will is read.
Procedures at Time of Death
At the time of death, your next of kin or executor should seek your doctor’s assistance in contacting your local coroner who will know the procedure to be followed. If the coroner is not immediately available, telephone the Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology during business hours (519.661.3014) or after hours call the University Police (519.661.3300).