Donated Body

Getting Started

The Donated Body Program provides no public notice of the donation. It is the responsibility of the next of kin or personal representative to forward obituary information to local media.

A donor may amend or revoke an anatomical gift at any time. However, the California Uniform Anatomical Gift Act requires that the revocation be made in a specific manner. Providing that the gift is not made by a will, a donor must provide one of the following to rescind the donation:

  • A signed statement;
  • An oral statement in the presence of two individuals; or
  • Any communication in any form during a terminal illness or injury addressed to a physician or surgeon; or
  • A signed statement delivered to the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Donated Body Program

Once the donor's application is accepted by the Donated Body Program, only the donor can withdraw it from the program. This ensures that the donor's wishes are upheld, even after their death. An anatomical gift that is not revoked by the donor prior to a donor's death is irrevocable and does not require the consent or concurrence of any person after the donor's death.

If the donation was made by a duly authorized member of a class as set forth by health and safety code §7151 (a), rescission can be made by any member of the same class if, before procedures have begun for the removal of a part of the donation by the university.

The University is not able to provide certified copies of the death certificate. A certified copy of the death certificate can be obtained by contacting the Bureau of Vital Statistics or the office of Birth and Death registration in the county in which the death occurred.