Many people wish to bequeath their bodies for medical education and research thereby making a unique contribution to the advancement of medicine. In recognition of this wish, the Anatomy Act allow for such bequeathals.

Those who donate their bodies to a School of Anatomy and the families of these individuals are assured dignity and respect that society customarily grants to the deceased. Students preparing themselves for medical and allied health professions are fully aware of the special privilege granted to them. By both law and obligation, they must conduct themselves in a professional manner during their study of the human body.

Contact 905-525-9140 ext. 22273 or via email anatprg@mcmaster.ca or write McMaster University, Education Program in Anatomy, 1280 Main St. West, HSC 1R1, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1 to obtain an “Anatomy Act” form. Part 1 of the form is to be completed, please do not cut,  and then send to the Education Program in Anatomy via email or Canada Post. A duplicate is sent to be retained and should be readily available to the next-of-kin or executor,  it is strongly advised the potential donor discuss their wishes with their next of kin/Executor. Following the death of a donor, the next-of-kin or executor must be in a position to act immediately on their behalf. Timing is crucial.

Anyone may donate their body. There is no age restriction for body donation to the Education Program in Anatomy. However, illnesses and cause of death, BMI (Body mass index) largely determine who may actually be accepted. The suitability for acceptance will be determined as soon as possible at the time of death.

If, at the time of death, Part I of the Donation of Body form has not been signed, the wishes of the deceased can still be honoured. The estate executor can complete the form on behalf of the donor.

Yes. A signed donation form is only an indication of a potential donor’s wishes. It is the responsibility of the donor to ensure that he/she discuss his/her wishes with the estate executor or their next of kin.

If a person wishes his/her body to be bequeathed to a School of Anatomy, only the eyes can be donated as a tissue gift for transplant. Further information regarding organ donation can be obtained from Trillium Gift of Life Network (not affiliated with McMaster University) :

Trillium Gift of Life Network

984 Bay Street, Suite 503, Toronto, ON M5S 2A5

Phone: 416-921-1130 Toll-free: 1-800-263-2833 Website: www.giftoflife.on.ca

Anatomical study and/or research in the Education Program in Anatomy can range from months to up to ten years after receiving a donor. In certain cases, entire bodies or portions of a body may be kept indefinitely. The cremated remains can then be picked up by the next-of-kin or the option to be interred in the McMaster University crypt located at Bayview Cemetery & Crematory in Burlington, Ontario. The remains of each donor are kept separate and identifiable. All expenses for cremation and interment in the McMaster University crypt are paid for by the Education Program in Anatomy. Within a year of the donation, the donor will be recognized at a Service of Gratitude.

Upon a potential donor’s death, a physician or coroner must issue a Medical Proof of Death Certificate. The estate executor must notify the Education Program in Anatomy at McMaster University immediately. If the body of the donor is acceptable and required, the Education Program in Anatomy will make the necessary arrangements to transport the body from the place of death. Transportation costs (including any additional mileage outside the greater Hamilton area) Coroner’s fee and Administrative fee will be billed to the estate of the donor payable at the time paperwork is signed by the estate executor. The estate executor must provide the donor’s SIN card (or a past tax assessment), proof of birth (or passport or baptismal certificate), and the full names and birth places for both of the donor’s parents. (The parent’s information is required for the Deputy Registrar General, any questions about this information can be directed to the Registrar directly at 1-800-461-2156) The Education Program in Anatomy will issue twelve Proof of Death certificates to the estate executor.

The Education Program in Anatomy cannot transfer a donor until acceptance is determined and deemed suitable for anatomical studies and is required by the program. This screening is completed as quickly as possible, this approval occurs prior to the transfer of the donor to the university.  Once acceptance is confirmed, transfer of the donor is arranged by the bequeathal coordinator.

• Arthritis
• Cardiovascular disease:
  • Angina
  • Atherosclerotic heart disease (ASHD)
  • Heart failure
  • Hypertension
  • Myocardial infarction (MI) “Heart Attack”
  • Cerebral vascular accident (CVA) “Stroke”
  • Unruptured aneurysm
  • Pacemakers
• Diabetes mellitus
• Ischemic bowel diseases
• Kidney: Renal failure
• Liver: Alcoholic hepatitis
  • Cirrhosis of the liver
• Lung: Chronic Obstructive Lung Disorder (COPD)
  • Emphysema
  • Pneumonia
  • Pulmonary Embolism
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis
• Most cancers or lymphomas
• Multiple sclerosis

• Autopsy or Trauma
• Degenerative neurological diseases:
  • Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
  • Rapid onset dementia
• Infectious diseases:
  • Hepatitis
  • Group A Streptococcal or Meningococcal Sepsis
  • Meningitis
  • HIV (if anti-viral meds were taken and timing can be confirmed, approval would be determined Ad hoc)
  • Gangrene
  • Tuberculosis
  • Monkeypox
  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus infections (MRSA/MRSE)
• Ruptured aneurysm
• Recent major surgery (within six months prior to death)
• Extreme emaciation:
  • BMI screening in effect (we require accurate height and weight at time of death)
• Lab Restrictions