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The education of future health professionals relies heavily on the study of the human body. In our faculty, a single donated body provides vital, hands-on learning for a group of 10 dental students. By donating your body to the Division of Anatomy, you are making a profound contribution to medical science and education.

After anatomical studies are complete, all remains are respectfully cremated by us, or preserved in the Anatomy Museum.

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in Sinhala

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How to Register as a Donor

Registration has no legal binding, but it is a crucial step in documenting your wishes.

1. Discuss with your family: You must discuss your decision with your family, next of kin, or executors to obtain their consent.
2. Obtain the form: Click here to download the Body Donation form or contact our office to request physical materials.
3. Submit the form: Return the completed form to the Department of Basic Sciences office during weekdays (8:00 AM – 4:00 PM), or post it to the address below.
4. Confirmation: Once submitted, you will receive a formal registration number and a reference letter.

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Conditions for Acceptance

To ensure the body is suitable for anatomical preservation and study, we cannot accept a donation if any of the following apply:

• The deceased is under 18 years old.
• An autopsy has been performed.
• Organs have been removed (except for eye donations).
• The body has sustained severe physical injury, extensive surgery, or cancer.
• There is a history of Meningitis, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis, or HIV/AIDS.
• More than 18 hours have passed since the time of death (for un-embalmed bodies).
• There are open wounds, bedsores, decayed tissue, or crippling deformities.

Note: In rare cases where our facility has reached full capacity, or the body is deemed unsuitable upon arrival, we will reluctantly return the body to the family for burial.

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Instructions at the Time of Death

Immediately after death, the executor or next of kin must contact the Division of Anatomy.

Embalming Rules:

• If the body is handed over the same day, embalming is not necessary.
• If delayed, the body must be embalmed.
• Critical: Embalming must be done only by cutting the Femoral artery in front of the upper part of the thigh. No other parts should be cut. Bodies embalmed using any other method will be rejected.

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Handing Over the Body

All transportation arrangements and costs are the responsibility of the donor’s family or executor.

When to arrive:

• Weekdays: Before 2:00 PM.
• Weekends: Please contact us in advance to make arrangements.

Required Documents:

• Original Certificate of Death.
• National Identity Card (NIC) of the next of kin, along with a photocopy.

Important Rules on Site:

• Once handed over, the body becomes the property of the University, and no individual will be allowed to view the body thereafter.
• The coffin may be removed after the handover.
• Religious ceremonies are not permitted on site.
• Photography and video filming are strictly prohibited.

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Contact Information

For registration or urgent notifications, please reach out to the Department of Basic Sciences:

• Telephone: 081-2397221 (Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM)
• Fax: 081-2388949
• Email: deptbasic@dental.pdn.ac.lk
• Postal Address: Head, Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, 20400