MBDP Information for Funeral Homes

For the last 50 years the Montana Body Donation Program at Montana State University has been providing the WWAMI Medical Education Program and Montana institutions of higher learning with cadaver donations. This endeavor is an important component of training new physicians and health professionals for the future of health care.

The MBDP depends on the assistance of funeral homes to maintain our program. Funeral home directors are our liaisons with the families of donors and are essential in providing initial embalming and transportation. Without the expertise and support of the funeral homes the MBDP could not exist.

Procedures

1.  Removal

• Pick up remains from site of death and transport to funeral
• Obtain cause of death information from hospital, doctor, or next of This information is necessary for the MBDP to be able to decide for accepting/declining a donation.

2.  Determine candidacy and contact MBDP to confirm acceptance

• On call line: 406.599.0572
• Reasons a donor may be declined:
  • BMI < 16 or > 30 or height > 6’2”
  • > 12 hours between time of death and initial embalming
  • Excessively postural – they need to be in a roughly anatomical supine position
  • Traumatic cause of death or autopsy performed
  • Recent surgeries, open sores, or unhealed wounds that could prevent effective embalming
  • Communicable diseases such as prion diseases, HIV, hepatitis, MRSA, diff, sepsis, etc.
  • Next-of-kin objects, or consent has not been obtained, either prior to or shortly after death
  • Insufficient capacity at MBDP

3.    Perform arterial embalming via right femoral artery

• Use R femoral artery – this provides the least disturbance to structures of interest to students and provides good distribution to the entire body
• Use a low index formaldehyde-based solution
  • Water conditioners and clot-flighting additives are acceptable
  • Please avoid glutaraldehyde or cosmetic additives such as rose water
  • Use roughly 2 gallons of solution
• Our main goals here are to get good clearance of blood and have a light embalming that buys time for the MBDP to get a secondary embalming under way.
  • For reference we will follow up with 5-6 gal of a formalin/phenol-based

4.  Additional body preparation, please:

• Place arms and hands at side, in a roughly anatomic supine position
• Tie off vessels when finished embalming
• Use cheesecloth or cotton to pack embalming site – avoid absorbent
• The incision may be left open, we will use the same site if possible
• Close eyes and tie mouth shut

5.  Transport arrangements

• MBDP will pick up donors within 250 miles of Bozeman at its own expense
• Donations beyond 250 miles may be accepted if the family agrees to cover costs of the funeral home transporting the donor part way to Bozeman
• Things we need when picking up a donor:
  • Transport authorization (ART form)
  • Copies of consent forms if available
  • Most recent contact info for next-of-kin

Final Disposition

Cadavers can be used for 1 to 5 years depending on the program they are used in. After studies are finished, the Montana Body Donation Program will arrange for final disposition of the body, cremains can be buried or returned to next of kin, according to the wishes outlined by the donor and the next of kin at the time the Declaration of Consent or Next of Kin form was signed. The MBDP will, in every case, confirm the final disposition wishes with the next of kin before final disposition.

Donors and families have 2 choices for final disposition of the donor after the anatomical studies are complete:        

• Remains will be cremated and then returned to the family, at no expense to the donor's estate or next of kin.

      - OR -

• The remains will be cremated and then buried in a shared plot and coffin, without a named stone, in the Bozeman City Cemetery, at no expense to the donor's estate or next of kin.

We deeply appreciate your assistance throughout the past 50 years!

For your convenience, a staff member will be available by cell phone at all times, ensuring that you will always be able to connect with us regarding a donation regardless of the time of day at (406) 599-0572.