There are two basic ways to allow your body to be used after death – organ donation and body donation.

Organ Donation – At the time of death, many organs and tissues can be donated including heart, kidneys, lung, cartilage and veins. After these are removed, the body is then immediately returned to the family for burial or cremation. For more information on becoming a donor, please visit: http://www.organdonor.gov.

Body Donation – Body donation allows future physicians to use your body for the advancement of science. At the time of death, the body is removed and stored for future use at a medical research facility. At some point in the future (usually several years) the body is cremated. The laws regarding body donation vary from state to state. For more information on body donation, please vist: http://www.biogift.org.