• Body Donation Program
• Staff
• Administrative Staff
• Teaching Staff
• Support Staff
• Demonstrators
• Events
• Memorial Service
• Electives
• Faculty Links
• Employment Opportunities
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Affiliated Teaching Hospitals
• Forms
• Anatomy Lab-CODE OF CONDUCT-Sign
• ANATOMY PROGRAM WAIVER- General workshop
• For students: Anatomy Web Resources

Anatomy - Body Donation Program
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. If I give my body to science or to a medical school, what will happen to my body after many months or years of study? 
   
   We keep the body from 1 to 3 years.  Afterwards, the remains are cremated at the Pinecrest Crematorium in Ottawa.
2. Are my remains given back to my family?
   
   The ashes can be returned to the next-of-kin.
   
   
3. Are they buried or cremated together with a number of other bodies (or body parts) that were given to science? 
   
   The bodies are cremated separately and the ashes from each body are in separate urns.
   
   
4. Are all the separate parts of my body somehow "reassembled" together, and buried or cremated separately from the other bodies (or body parts) that were given to science?
   
   The body parts are collected and each body is cremated separately.
   
   
5. Is there any commemoration plaque, or tombstone, or whatever, marked with the name(s) of those who gave their body to science, to remember those persons?        
   
   There is a tombstone at the Pinecrest Crematorium in Ottawa that reads as follow: 
   
   

   In memory of those who have generously given their body for the advancement of science and medical education.                  A la mémoire de ceux qui ont généreusement donné leur corps pour les progrès de la science et de l’enseignement de la médecine. Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa Faculté de Médecine, Université d'Ottawa

   
   
   Click here for more information and a picture
   
   The individual names are recorded in our Memorial Book which is available for viewing and is displayed at our Annual Memorial Service.
   
   
6. Is there any consideration given to the religion of the donor?
   
   The Annual Memorial Service is a non-denominational Christian service, usually officiated by a catholic priest.
   
   
7. What process must I follow in order to give my body to the University of Ottawa after my death?
   
   If you send your full address, we can send you an information package with all the forms that you can fill out.
   
   Contact person:
   Ms. Claudine Séguin
   Administrative Assistant and Body Donation Administrator
   Division of Clinical and Functional Anatomy
   Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine
   Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa
   Roger Guindon Hall, Room 2239
   451 Smyth Road
   Ottawa , Ontario K1H 8M5
   (613) 562-5782 Fax: (613) 562-5687
   Claudine.Seguin@uottawa.ca
   anatomy@uottawa.ca
   
   
8. Are there any costs to giving my body to science?
   
   The only cost to the estate or immediate family will be the transportation of the body from the place of death to the University of Ottawa. It is the University of Ottawa policy that the body has to be transferred by a Funeral Home. The cost depends on the Funeral Home. It is recommended to call a few of them to get the best price.
   
   
9. What are your hours of operation?
   
   We are open from 8:15 to 16:00 (closed for lunch from 12:00 to 13:00). You can pick-up some information anytime between these hours.
   
   
10. What is the difference between whole body donation and organ donation?
    
    Whole body donation is when you give your body to medical education or research, and organ donation is when you give your organs to be transplanted into someone that needs them.
    
    
    
11. How can we get more information about organ donation?
    
    There is a contact person for organ donation who can give you all the information you need to know. Her contact information is:
    
    Stephanie Currie-McCarragher, RN, BScN (c)
    Organ and Tissue Donor Coordinator
    Trillium Gift of Life Network
    The Ottawa Hospital, CHEO and the Community
    scurrie-mccarragher@giftoflife.on.ca
    www.giftoflife.on.ca
    Tel: 613-737-8616
    
    For any additional information please contact the provincial resource center at 1-877-363-8456 or visit our website at www.giftoflife.ca
    
    
12. Do you sometimes refuse a body?
    
    The Division of Clinical and Functional Anatomy reserves the right to refuse a body. This decision is seriously considered, but in certain circumstances, it is not possible to accept a body; therefore, we recommend that suitable alternative arrangements be made prior to death.
    
    
13. The possible reasons for refusal of a body are:
    
    
    • Presence of contagious disease.
    • Death by accident involving major trauma, or by suicide.
    • A body upon which an autopsy has been performed.
    • Space limitation in the anatomy facilities.
    • If organs have been removed for transplantation. The sole exception is the eyes – we will accept bodies from which the corneas have been donated. Please contact the Eye Bank of Ontario at 416-978-7355 for more information.
      
      
14. What is the Anatomy Memorial Trust Fund?
    
    The University of Ottawa appreciates contributions towards anatomical education and research, which assist us in ongoing improvements in our anatomy program. A trust fund has been established to facilitate donations. Cheques should be made payable to University of Ottawa, Anatomy Memorial Trust Fund, and mailed to the:
    
    

    University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine Division of Clinical and Functional Anatomy 451 Smyth Road Ottawa , Ontario K1H 8M5

    
    Receipts will be provided for income tax purposes.
    
    
    
15. If I make a contribution to the Anatomy Memorial Trust Fund, how will my gift be acknowledged?
    
    Such gifts are often used to make special purchases to enhance the Anatomy Laboratory. Your special gift will be acknowledged. You will receive a sincere letter of thanks from the Division of Clinical and Functional Anatomy. Moreover, the University of Ottawa will send you a charitable receipt for income tax purposes.  We will also have a section on our website to acknowledge such donations.  The web page will be available for viewing in the near future.  If you desire to remain anonymous, just let us know and we won’t put your name. Here is our website:
    
    http://www.medicine.uottawa.ca/anatomy/eng/index.html
    
    A record of your gift will be displayed in the Memory Book, which is available for public viewing at The Annual Memorial Service.
    
    
16. Can I make other contributions to commemorate my loved one?
    
    You can make an "In Memory Of..." contribution. As for the Anatomy Memorial Trust fund, you will get a charitable receipt for income tax purposes. You can specify the person for whom you would like to make a donation. We have recently inaugurated a book with all the "In Memory Of..." contributions. It is displayed in the Anatomy Wall of Fame within the Division of Clinical and Functional Anatomy. Everybody is welcome to view it or take pictures. Each deceased will be acknowledged on an individual page. All the people that have donated will be listed (without the amounts).
    
    Here is what it looks like:

Anatomy Memorial Trust Fund
In Memory of Name of the deceased

Generous contributions by :

Name of contributors
Name of contributors
Name of contributors

Division of Clinical and Functional Anatomy
University of Ottawa

17. Will the next-of-kins be rewarded with a cash amount from the University of Ottawa?
    
    Although some institutions may provide compensations to the next-of-kin when a person gives his or her body to science; this is not the case for the University of Ottawa. The family of the deceased will not receive a cash amount.