About CCMS

Anatomical Transport Protocol

Assisting a Family with Death of Registered Donor

The medical facility (or appropriate authority, when death occurs outside of a facility) is responsible for contacting the University of Cincinnati Body Donation Program (UC) upon the death of a registered donor.

All pre-registered deceased donors should be transported to the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science (CCMS) during normal business hours or after-hours. The medical facility should assist the family in making transportation arrangements to the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. The family decides who will transport the body – either a funeral home or ambulance service – but the facility can make the arrangements. Transportation is the only expense to the family. See the protocol below for deaths occurring during and outside normal business hours.

Important Reminders

  • WHO TO CALL: Contact UC Body Donor Program Director, then contact CCMS Clinical Lab prior to transport (see contact information and hours below).
  • DOCUMENTATION: Copy of the Body Bequeathal Form / registration confirmation letter and/or donor card must accompany decedent and be provided to CCMS at the time of transport.
  • PERSONAL EFFECTS: All personal effects and valuables should be removed and given to decedent’s family.

Death During Normal Business Hours
(8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mon – Fri)

Call UC:

Report the death and verify pre-registration of donor.

UC Body Donation
513-558-5612
Laura Garrison, Program Director

Prior to transport, call CCMS:

Donor Registration documents must accompany donor at time of transport.

Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science
513-761-3773
Wanda Lee, Clinical Director
645 W. North Bend Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45224

Death After Business Hours
(after 4:00 p.m. Mon-Fri, weekends, holidays)

Call UC, leave voice message:

Report the death and verify pre-registration of donor.

UC Body Donation
513-558-5612
Laura Garrison, Program Director

Transport must call CCMS at least 30 minutes prior to arrival:

Donor Registration documents must accompany donor at time of transport.

Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science
513-761-3773
On-call Lab Assistant / Wanda Lee, Clinical Director
645 West North Bend Rd.
Cincinnati, OH 45224

The family of the donor is not charged for storage of the body at CCMS.

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Donor Program

Visit UC Donor Site