Services We Provide | OHSU Body Donation Program

Service of Gratitude 2023

Memorial service

OHSU conducts an annual memorial service honoring donors. The next of kin or authorized representative will be notified of the date, time and place of the memorial service.

Honoring their first patient: 2017 Service of Gratitude |  2018 Service of Gratitude

In the past, medical, dental, radiation therapist and physician assistant students have performed spoken word pieces, musical numbers and dance movements to show their appreciation of the donation. 

Next of kin will have the opportunity to submit a photo of their loved one to be memorialized in a slideshow during the service.

A small reception takes place after the service for attendees and students to visit and privately share their experience about the donation process.

Tanya Saito performs a dance at the Donor Memorial Service, December 1, 2017.
Tanya Saito performs a dance at the Donor Memorial Service, December 1, 2017. Each year up to 120 people donate their bodies to OHSU to support medical education. A Donor Memorial Service was held December 1, 2017, to reflect and thank the donors and their families. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)
Members of the Oregon National Guard present the colors at the Donor Memorial Service, held at OHSU, Dec. 7, 2018.
Members of the Oregon National Guard present the colors at the Donor Memorial Service, held at OHSU, Dec. 7, 2018. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)
Lorena Cox of Bend, sitting with other family members of body donor Zella Randall, at the Donor Memorial Service, held at OHSU, Dec. 7, 2018.
Lorena Cox of Bend, sitting with other family members of body donor Zella Randall, at the Donor Memorial Service, held at OHSU, Dec. 7, 2018. Cox is the wife of Randall’s grandson, Tyler Mathers. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Cremation

When a donor can no longer be used for further research or education, the donor is cremated in the crematorium at the OHSU School of Medicine (unless specified differently on the enrollment form) and the cremated remains are returned to the next of kin or other specified entity.

The length of time for final disposition can be up to three years, unless the donor consented to an indefinite donation. When the donor remains are ready to be returned, the Body Donation program staff will contact the next of kin on file to coordinate delivery.

There are no costs for cremation and return of remains by Body Donation program staff. If alternate arrangements for final disposition are made, the next of kin is responsible for any associated charges.

Download the consent and enrollment form