The entire body will be used for anatomical study. By studying the body as a whole, students gain invaluable insights into the relationships, variations, and continuities that exist within each form. After study, the body is cremated and is then returned to the family or executor.

There are some circumstances when we are unable to receive a body for donation. This could include the donor's condition, location, or other factors. While we hope to welcome all donations, the Institute reserves the right to make that determination at the time of the donor's passing.

While you can donate from any state, the Institute will not facilitate transfers outside of Colorado.

There are a few steps you must take in order to set up your donation.

1. Familiarize yourself with our donation requirements by requesting a donation packet.

2. Sign and return the packet to the Institute.

3. Make arrangements with your preferred funeral home.

4. Upon passing or imminent passing, have your executor contact us at the Institute.

When you make a whole body donation, your legacy will live on as your body becomes a teacher in our lab. Students and professionals will gain invaluable insight from their study. Many of our participants use their experience to directly improve lives through their work as doctors, clinical care workers, massage therapists, chiropractors, and other wellness practitioners.

The expense depends on your individual circumstances.

-All donors must contract with a local company to transport the body to their preferred funeral home at the time of death. IAR does not cover transport costs.

-Your cremation and return of remains will be covered by the Institute.

Funeral services and other ceremonies of passing are at your discretion.

At the time of passing, you may wish to have your body embalmed and a service performed at a funeral home and/or other location. The lab would be happy to wait for that process before we take possession.

If you prefer, you may also choose to wait until the Institute has completed its studies. This option may perhaps be more suitable for those who wish to donate their form unembalmed. Once the Institute has completed its work, the cremains would be returned to your family.

The executor of your will contact us directly regarding your wishes. Please ensure that your wishes are well-documented and understood.

Your estate will contact both the Institute and the funeral home with which you made your initial arrangments. We will be able to handle the arrangments from there.

If you are out of state, then it is your resposibility to contract with a local funeral home to pick up, store, and ship the form to the lab. If you located within Colorado, then you will need to contract with a funeral company to pick up your body upon passing. The Institute can help arrange for transportation to the lab from that point forward.

You will make arrangements with a local funeral home to pick up and store your body. From there, handling will depend upon your location:

1. If you are within Colorado Springs, then we can help with transfer to the lab.

2. If you are out of Colorado Springs, it will be your financial and logistical responsibility to arrange for embalming and transfer to the lab.

How long we keep a body depends upon the projects and classes that are currently in process at the Institute. We usually have forms at the Institute for one month up to a year, at which point the cremains are returned to the family.

Once studies are complete, the entire body is cremated and returned to the family. The cost of cremation will be paid for by the lab and its agents.