Body Donor Program
The Department of Anatomy and Physiology 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.
NOTICE dated 2nd December 2021
Due to the ongoing concerns of COVID-19 in the community and the inability to hold practical classes for our students the Department of Anatomy and Physiology have made the unavoidable decision to not accept deceased donors into our program and care, effective midnight Sunday the 6th December 2021. We understand that this is a difficult and disappointing decision, but we must ensure an appropriate response to an ever-changing climate.
We anticipate and hope that we will be able to resume this part of the program in March 2022. We will update this page, should any of this information change. Please be reminded that during this period we will continue to accept new registrations to the Body Donor Program. If you have any questions, the Body Donor Coordinator continues to be contactable on 8344 5809 or anatomy-donors@unimelb.edu.au
Please note the University closes for the Christmas break from the 23rd December 2021 and reopens on the 4th January 2022 for general enquiries.
More information
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 Body Donor Information Sheet
Consent Form
A consent form is available for download. Consent Form
To contact the Body Program Coordinator:
Phone: (03) 8344 5809
or
Email: anatomy-donors@unimelb.edu.au
NOTICE TO FAMILIES OF DONORS – 11 August 2021
Unfortunately with the announcement made on the 11 August 2021 by the Victorian Premier extending Victoria’s current lockdown until midnight on the 19th August 2021 this year’s Commemorative Thanksgiving Service is unable to be livestreamed.
A video will be compiled and sent to families who have provided an RSVP at the earliest opportunity.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Department is unfortunately unable to hold the 2020 Commemorative Thanksgiving Service. Our hope is to be able to host a service next year and invite families of donors from the previous two years.
In lieu of a service we have welcomed Professor Shitij Kapur (Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Science) and our students to contribute their thanks with a video to honour the donors of 2019.
Please take a moment to watch the video and we look forward to a time when we can welcome you in person.
Our body donors contribute substantially to the quality of medical education. At the University of Melbourne we hold an annual Commemorative Thanksgiving Service to acknowledge the generosity of our donors. This service is attended by family and friends of our body donors, with anatomy staff and students of the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience.
We have also commissioned a sculpture by renowned artist Heather Swann situated on campus in honour of our donors and which will serve both as a daily reminder to staff and students of the donor gift and also as a site of remembrance for family and friends to visit year round. The sculpture is located on the South Lawn of the Parkville Campus, near the Old Quad. For further information please contact the Body Donor Co-ordinator on (03) 8344 5809 or by email anatomy-donors@unimelb.edu.au.
Body Donor Coordinator
Department of Anatomy & Physiology
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
Phone: +61 3 8344 5809
Fax: +61 3 9347 5219
Email: anatomy-donors@unimelb.edu.au
NSW
Western Australia
The University of Western Australia