The gift remembered: The Human Anatomy and Physiology Society ( HAPS ) Anatomical Donor Stewardship's ethical and practical handbook for anatomy donor tributes
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Providing students with a way to honor human body donors during or after an anatomy course has been shown to help provide a sense of closure and comfort to students and, when present, donor families. Gestures of gratitude for donors can also emphasize humanistic values of respect, empathy, and professionalism. These tributes can take the form of a ceremony; class activities such as a moment of silence or reflection assignment; the display of a memorial plaque, website, plant, or garden; or other similar gestures. While hosting memorial ceremonies for donors has become common practice for many body donation programs and larger medical institutions, many institutions still do not hold ceremonies because faculty do not know where to start, are deterred by the increased workload, or for other personal or administrative reasons. This handbook was created by members of the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS) Anatomical Donor Stewardship (ADS) Ethics Subcommittee to provide guidance to anatomy educators and staff who are developing inaugural ceremonies or memorials, or who are seeking new ideas to enhance their established event or memorial.
Source: Anatomical Sciences Education
DOI: 10.1002/ase.70309
Institutions: Seton Hill University, Boston University, Briar Cliff University, Colorado Christian University, University of Louisville, Michigan State University, University of Pittsburgh, Elizabethtown College, Lipscomb University, Drexel University, The Ohio State University, University of Mary, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,100
OpenAlex ID: W7169187798