Honoring Our Donors
Duke University School of Medicine recognizes the profound contributions of individuals who donate their bodies to support medical education and research.
Following the completion of anatomical study, each donor’s remains are individually cremated. Families may choose to have their loved one’s ashes scattered in the Duke Forest, in an area designated for the Duke Anatomical Gifts Program.
Each spring, following the academic year in which a donor’s cremation occurs, the School of Medicine hosts an Annual Memorial Service at Duke Chapel in Durham, North Carolina. This service honors the donors who have supported medical education during the year and provides an opportunity for students, physicians, and faculty to express their appreciation for the invaluable role these gifts play in advancing medical training and discovery.
A memorial plaque located in the Sarah P. Duke Gardens further commemorates all individuals who have donated their bodies to Duke University for the advancement of medicine.