Body Donor Program
The Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology at the University of Melbourne co-ordinates a Body Donor Program for the purposes of anatomical examination and the teaching and study of anatomy.
Bodies that have been donated to the program are used in the education and training of future healthcare professionals including medical, dental, physiotherapy, science and nursing students and are also used for the advanced training of surgeons and other specialists.
Each donated body is treated with great care and respect and, on completion of our studies, is cremated. Following cremation, relatives who have requested the return of ashes are able to retrieve them for commemorative purposes.
Members of the public may apply to donate their bodies through our Body Donor Program, which complies with the Human Tissue Act. Information for prospective donors is set out in the section Frequently Asked Questions.