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In most states, the anatomical material comes primarily from city, county and state institutions in which the patients have died without known relatives. Usually, the laws in the respective states provide that the medical school shall receive all such unclaimed dead. In Michigan, the law (Act No. 368, Public Acts of 1978, Sections 2651 -2663) provides that the Anatomy Board, which consists of the State Health Commissioner, and one member from the Department of Anatomy of each of the medical schools in the state, shall have the legal responsibility for all the anatomical material which shall come under its jurisdiction.

In recent years, however, with the increased availability of public welfare funds for burial costs, fewer unclaimed bodies have been coming to the medical schools. Fortunately, many individuals have recognized this problem and have willed their bodies to medical science. General interest in this procedure is increasing, and a number of state legislatures have taken steps to provide state laws to cover such bequests. In Michigan, Act No. 368, Public Acts of 1978, Article 10, known as the “Uniform Anatomical Gift Law,” reads:

“Any individual of sound mind and 18 years of age or more may give all or any physical part of the individual’s body for any purpose specified in section 10103; the gift to take effect upon death.”

Section 10103 (A-E) states that any accredited medical school may become donees of gifts of bodies or parts thereof. It should be understood that there is no fee involved or payment given for willing or donating the human body or any parts thereof to any medical school in the State of Michigan.

Since the act was passed, the University has been receiving an increasing number of bequests. Each such bequest is deeply appreciated, and each plays a vital role in medical and dental teaching and/or research. It seems clear that an increasing number of such bequests will make it possible for medical and dental schools to carry out their anatomical teaching or research in the proper fashion. The wholehearted cooperation received from the general public, the clergy, the medical, dental, legal, and mortuary science professions is deeply appreciated.