FAQ

What is the Humanity Gifts Registry?

The Humanity Gifts Registry is a nonprofit agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania concerned primarily with the receipt and distribution of bodies donated to all medical and dental schools in the state for teaching purposes. The Registry, formerly called the Anatomical Board, has been in existence since 1883.

How do I register as a body donor?

To register as a body donor with the Humanity Gifts Registry, please download and complete two copies of the official Donor Form. Each form must be filled out in full and signed in the presence of two adult witnesses (age 18 or older). The witnesses can be anyone who is over 18 and of sound mind.

• Mail one completed and signed form to the Humanity Gifts Registry office.

• Keep the second copy for your personal records.

You must be at least 18 years old to register as a donor.

If you have any questions about the registration process or need help completing the form, please contact our office—we’re here to help.

Is there an upper age limit for body donation?

No, there is no upper age limit for donating your body to medical education and research through the Humanity Gifts Registry. Age is not a factor in determining whether a donation can be accepted.

Each donation is evaluated at the time of death based on medical and physical criteria, not age.

How long will studies take in a medical school?

The length of time a donor’s body is used for medical education and research typically ranges up to two years, though in some cases it may be longer. The duration depends on the specific educational or research needs of the institution.

What happens to my body after studies have been completed?

After all educational and research studies are finished, your remains will be respectfully cremated. The ashes are then interred in one of our established cemeteries located in Philadelphia, Hershey, Erie, Scranton, or Pittsburgh, depending on the location of the donation.

If the family prefers to have the ashes returned for a private burial or memorial, special arrangements can be made. To do so, the Registry must receive a written request from the next of kin shortly after the donor’s passing.

Please note that it may take up to two years or longer before the ashes become available for return due to the time required for studies and processing.

Will my name be recorded at the registry’s gravesite?

No. In order to respect the privacy and anonymity requested by some donors, the names of donors do not appear at the gravesite. However, all gravesites are marked by a number. Information regarding your final resting place is available from the Registry office.

Are there any costs involved when my body is donated?

The Humanity Gifts Registry routinely covers $100 of the transportation costs for your body from the place of death to one of our medical teaching institutions, arranged through a licensed funeral director. Any transportation expenses beyond this amount are the responsibility of the next of kin or estate.

The Registry also assumes the costs of cremation and burial of the ashes in our dedicated cemeteries (or the return of ashes to the next of kin upon request), as well as the annual Celebrations of Remembrance honoring donors.

This method of body disposition is a very cost-effective option for families and can potentially save thousands of dollars in funeral and cremation expenses.

What do your Celebrations of Remembrance involve?

Our Celebrations of Remembrance are held each year in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Family members and friends are invited to help us honor and commemorate the special individuals who have selflessly donated their bodies for the advancement of medical education and research. Names of the donors are included on a Memorial Card at the request of the family. Medical students and faculty members from all of our medical schools will be participating and attending the celebrations.

Are there circumstances under which my body may not be acceptable at death?

While the Humanity Gifts Registry strives to accept all donors, there are rare situations when a body may not be suitable for donation. The Registry reserves the right to refuse donations based on medical or logistical considerations.

Examples of conditions that may prevent acceptance include:

• Deaths involving highly communicable diseases

• Severe crushing injuries

• Bodies that have undergone autopsy

• Significant decomposition or embalming prior to donation

• Recent major surgery

• Obesity or other medical factors affecting suitability

The final decision about acceptance is made at the time of death by qualified staff.

If, in rare cases, the Registry cannot accept the body, the remains will not be transported, and responsibility for disposition will fall to the next of kin.

Can I be an organ donor as well as a whole body donor?

Yes—and we encourage you to register as both an organ donor and a whole body donor.

Organ donation always takes priority, as it can save and improve lives immediately. In cases where organ donation is not possible or only certain tissues are recovered (such as eyes or skin), the Humanity Gifts Registry may still be able to accept the body for medical education and research.

While we prefer the body to remain intact, we can often accept donations after limited organ or tissue recovery. However, acceptance is not guaranteed and depends on the extent of the organ donation and the condition of the remains.

By registering as both an organ donor and an anatomical donor, you maximize your ability to make a meaningful contribution—either by saving lives through transplantation or by advancing the training of future healthcare professionals.

If you have questions about how to register for both, our staff is happy to assist.

Will my family receive any reports from the medical school?

The medical schools cannot give out any reports concerning their anatomical studies. If the family has any questions regarding the cause of death, such matters should be directed to the deceased’s physician.

How does the Humanity Gifts Registry know when a registered donor has passed away?

The HGR is not automatically notified of a donor’s death by any state or local agency. It is the responsibility of the next of kin, healthcare provider, or funeral director to notify the HGR as soon as possible after the donor’s passing.

For step-by-step guidance, please visit our Instructions page.

What happens if death occurs out of state?

If a registered donor passes away outside of Pennsylvania, the Humanity Gifts Registry may not be able to accept the donation due to transportation limitations and state anatomical laws. In these cases, the family may choose to contact the nearest accredited medical school or state anatomical board in that region to inquire about donation options.

While your HGR donor form is a meaningful record of your intent, it is not a legally binding donation document in other states, and each state has its own process for anatomical donation.

If you spend extended periods of time out of Pennsylvania or plan to retire in another state, we recommend contacting that state’s anatomical donation program in advance to discuss your options and consider dual registration if possible.

What if I am a resident of New Jersey or Delaware?

The Humanity Gifts Registry accepts donors from New Jersey and Delaware. However, if death occurs in either state, the next of kin is responsible for arranging transportation of the body to a participating Pennsylvania medical school.

The family should hire a licensed funeral director in the state where the death occurred, and the funeral director must contact our office for instructions.

While families are responsible for transportation costs, the Humanity Gifts Registry typically covers up to $100 of these expenses. Any remaining balance is the responsibility of the next of kin.

If you have questions or need assistance with the process, please contact our staff for guidance.

How does my family obtain copies of the death certificate?

Your family may obtain certified copies of the death certificate through the funeral director who has transported your remains to the medical school or directly through the Bureau of Vital Records in New Castle, Pennsylvania. One cannot legally obtain copies from a hospital or physician.

Costs for death certificates and fees that a funeral director may charge for services in obtaining such copies are the responsibility of the next of kin or estate. The Registry has no jurisdiction in the matter.

Does Humanity Gifts Registry accept monetary donations?

Yes. Monetary gifts can be made at any time and memorialize anyone a donor wishes. Donations can be made by check made payable to “Humanity Gifts Registry” and sent to: P.O. Box 835, Philadelphia, PA 19105-0835. Please make sure to include the name of the donor your donation is memorializing, so we can properly inform the family of its receipt.