School of Medicine

DONATION OF HUMAN REMAINS:

The Bureau of Anatomical Services (BAS) appreciates your desire to donate your remains for purposes of medical education and research. The BAS, functioning under Louisiana law, is responsible for the procurement, use and disposition of the remains which are donated. 

The Bureau of Anatomical Services does not pay individuals for their remains. However, by making your donation, you have relieved your survivors of the majority of expenses of burial. The BAS arranges and pays the expenses for transporting remains of registered donors whose death occurs within 200 miles of New Orleans, La. (restrictions may apply to some areas of Mississippi). The family will be required to pay the additional mileage beyond the 200 miles.

To donate your remains, complete the application form. Please sign where indicated and have two witnesses (preferably family members) also sign the form. The form should also be notarized before returning to the BAS. If the form is not filled out completely, it will be returned. Mail the form to: Bureau of Anatomical Services, 1901 Perdido Street, New Orleans, LA 70112-1393. Your form must be on file at least thirty (30) days before your death in order for you to be considered a registered donor. You will receive a donor card in the mail indicating the effective date you are registered as a donor. If death occurs prior to the end of the 30-day waiting period, the family will need to make other arrangements. A copy of the form should be given to a relative, friend, or physician who should be instructed to report your death to the Bureau of Anatomical Services (568-4012). It is important for you to inform your close relatives and friends that the BAS will be unable to accept your remains if: 1) an autopsy has been performed, 2) embalming is done prior to delivery to the Bureau, 3) an infectious disease (e.g. hepatitis, HIV, or sepsis etc.) is present, 4) the body is excessively obese, 5) the body is in a badly deteriorated condition or severely damaged as a result of an accident, 6) the death requires an autopsy according to Louisiana state regulations, 7) death occurred as a result of excessive trauma to the body, 8) should the Program Administrator or President of the Bureau deem the body unusable, or 9) if your organs have been donated. In addition to the donation of your remains to the Bureau, you may donate ONLY your eyes to the respective agency. By your donation, you are making a noteworthy contribution to medical education and research and the Bureau appreciates your generous spirit in this matter. Frequently asked questions are answered on the attached page. Further information will be supplied on request regarding the procedures.