Body Donor Program

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Thank you for considering the generous gift of body donation to Ponce Health Sciences University – St. Louis.  This meaningful decision reflects a deep commitment to education, science, and the future of healthcare. By choosing to donate your body, you are offering our medical students a rare and invaluable opportunity to study the human form in ways that textbooks and simulations simply cannot replicate.

Your contribution becomes a silent teacher—helping future physicians gain essential knowledge, build skill, and develop the compassion required to care for real patients. The impact of your generosity will extend far beyond our classrooms, touching countless lives through the hands and hearts of those you help educate.

We are honored by your consideration and deeply grateful for your role in shaping the next generation of healthcare providers.

Why Donate?

Textbooks alone cannot match the value of hands-on learning. Your gift allows our students to gain a deep understanding of the human body’s complexity—an experience that shapes their future care for patients.

How to Enroll

If you choose to donate:

  • Complete this form twice and have it notarized.

  • Return the first notarized form to us.

  • Keep the second notarized form for your personal records. You may also share copies with your funeral director and family.

  • Include a brief medical history, listing past illnesses, surgeries, broken bones, and childbirth history (if applicable).

Important Reminders

  • Make sure your loved ones, healthcare providers, and those likely to be present at the time of death are aware of your decision.

  • Your body must be transported to PHSU–St. Louis promptly, unembalmed and without autopsy.

  • Provide the funeral director or transporter with a copy of your Gift of Body form.

Eligibility & Contingency

Please note, not all registered donors can be accepted at the time of death. We may not be able to accept your donation if:

  • There are communicable diseases or infections (e.g., HIV, hepatitis, tuberculosis).

  • There has been major trauma, autopsy, organ donation (except eyes), or morbid obesity (over 200 lbs. for women, 250 lbs. for men).

We recommend having an alternate plan in place.

Final Disposition

Donated remains are respectfully used for educational purposes. After completion (which may take several years), they are cremated and returned to your family. We will notify a designated family member when cremation has occurred. Because of the diversity of body donors, decisions about memorial services at the time of death are left to each family.  

For more details, contact us at (314) 499-6804 or bodydonorprogram@psm.edu.

Thank you for considering this meaningful contribution to medical education.

Last Updated 8/6/25