Texas A&M Body Donation

Conditions of Acceptance or Refusal

The value of a body is greatly diminished if all parts are not intact. Therefore, bodies from which parts have been removed for transplant purposes or during the course of an autopsy will not be accepted. The Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics cannot guarantee acceptance of a willed or donated body. A body will not be acceptable if any of the following conditions are present:

1. Organs or parts (other than eyes) have been removed at or following the time of death, such as for transplantation or in an autopsy;
2. Decomposition of the body prior to embalming;
3. Severe trauma, such as death from drowning, burning, homicide, or motor vehicle accident;
4. Open wounds or ulceration of the body, bed sores, skin slip;
5. Contagious diseases, especially viral, such as virulent herpes, hepatitis, HIV, or some of the dementias;
6. Excessive obesity or emaciation; weight must be proportional to the height
7. No person over 6’1″ will be accepted
8. No person over 190 lbs. will be accepted
9. Jaundice
10. The torso, arms, or legs, are in a bent, curled, or fetal position

Final Disposition of Remains

Body Donation Studies are usually completed within four years; after the studies are completed the remains are cremated at Callaway-Jones Crematory in Bryan and scattered at a local cemetery in the Bryan College Station area. However, because some donor families would like to receive the cremated remains, arrangements for return of the ashes to the family can be made by writing the Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics requesting the ashes be returned; please provide your relationship to the donor, your name, address, and telephone number. Please note that the request must be made by closest next of kin.

How Can I Sign Up for A Body Donation?

Here is a link to the Bequest Form. You can sign this form yourself for your body donation. You will need to have 2 witnesses sign the form as well. If you would like to come to our office we would be happy to witness the form for you.

Here is a link for the Donation Form if you are a relative of someone who has already passed away and would like to donate their body. This form must be signed and mailed or sent with the body if the deceased did not sign the Bequest Form above.

What Procedure Should Be Followed Upon My Death?

Contact Callaway-Jones Funeral Home and Crematory at 979-822-3717. We will arrange for your body to be picked up and transported. If you live outside the Bryan College Station area we will arrange for a mortuary affiliate in your local area to make the pickup and transportation on our behalf. We will complete the necessary preparation and transport your body to Texas A&M University. We will secure certified copies of the death certificate and distribute them to the next-of-kin.

What Procedure Should Be Followed Upon My Death?

What Procedure Should Be Followed Upon My Death?