A donor may make an anatomical gift of the donor's body to the University of Michigan Medical School or other appropriate recipient as permitted by the RUAGL. To document the intent to make a gift, the University of Michigan has created the Donor Authorization Form for convenience, or the donor may use other procedures as detailed by statute.
A signed copy of the Donor Authorization Form may be sent to the University of Michigan Anatomical Donations Program to notify us of the gift. (See contact information.) On receipt of the completed form, a wallet card will be sent to the donor to help notify others of the intent to make an anatomical gift. Funeral homes may also assist with donation arrangements before death.
The completed gift form is a legal document of gift that may be amended or revoked. The gift becomes effective immediately upon death but is subject to conditions at the time of death and acceptance by the Anatomical Donations Program.
It is always advisable to notify the donor's family and legal representative of the intent to make an anatomical donation of the donor's body so that it may be carried out at the time of death. The reading of a will or the discovery of the gift form may come too late to accommodate the donor's wishes.
