What are some conditions or circumstances that would prevent the MBDP from being able to use a donation?
- Next of kin do not agree with the donation of the body
- Open or unhealed wounds at time of death
- Massive systemic infections (e.g., MRSA)
- Diseases such as HIV, hepatitis, multiple sclerosis, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrigs’s Disease)
- Death due to trauma (e.g., car accident, homicide or suicide)
- If an autopsy has to be, or was performed
- If the donor is exceptionally obese or emaciated at the time of death
- If the initial embalming is not completed within 6-12 hours after death
Can I donate my remains to the MBDP if I am also an organ donor?
The MBDP can accept a donation if only the corneas have been harvested for organ donation.
If any internal organs have been harvested for organ donation the MBDP must decline the donation because we must have a complete donor for educational purposes. Also if organs have been harvested we cannot complete our long-term secondary preservation.
What choices do I and my family have in regard to final disposition of my remains after the anatomical study is complete:
Donors and families have 3 choices for final disposition of the donor after the anatomical studies are complete:
- Remains will be buried in a shared plot and coffin, without a named stone, in the Bozeman City Cemetery, at no expense to the donors’ estate or next of kin. Names are not included on the gravestone to protect the privacy of the individual donors. The simple gravestone acknowledges the donors' gifts to medical education.
- The donor or next of kin can make arrangements with a funeral home of their choice to have the remains cremated and returned to the family. Such arrangements are at the expense of the donors’ estate or next of kin.
- The donor or next of kin can make arrangements with a hometown funeral home or a Bozeman area funeral home to have the remains returned for local burial, recognizing that such arrangements are at the expense of the donors’ estate or next of kin.
The original consent forms on file with the MBDP state the wishes of the donor or next of kin for final disposition of the remains. The MBDP will, in every case, confirm the final disposition wishes with the next of kin when the anatomical study is complete.
