At the end of the educational studies, donors enrolled in the Mayo Clinic Body Donation Program have the following options available for final disposition:
- Cremated remains to be returned to the donor family or funeral home.
- Cremated remains to be permanently interred in Mayo Vault at Oakwood Cemetery in Rochester, Minnesota.
- Alternate method for final disposition at the expense of the donor or their family.
The final disposition option indicated at the time of signed consent by the donor will be honored by the Mayo Clinic Body Donation Program. Any changes must be made in writing by the donor.
Biocremation
One of the processes Mayo Clinic Body Donation Program uses is biocremation, an alkaline hydrolysis-based method of final disposition for whole-body donors. Biocremation is also called resomation or aquamation. Mayo Clinic offers the service at no cost to whole-body donations.
Alkaline hydrolysis is similar to many physiological processes that occur naturally in the body.
The process converts tissue and cells of the human body into a watery solution of micromolecules, leaving the bone structure of mineral compounds, such as calcium and phosphates. Since biocremation is not a combustion process, it is environmentally friendly and does not produce toxic gases or air pollutants. The remains are reduced to a powder consistency and are placed in a temporary container. The remains may be returned to the family or interred in the Mayo Vault at Oakwood Cemetery.
Mayo Clinic offers the biocremation service at no cost to the donor family.
The biocremation facility is located at Mayo Clinic and is regulated and licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health.
Mayo Vault at Oakwood Cemetery
The decision to have cremated remains interred at the Mayo Vault is permanent. The Mayo vaults are located in Oakwood Cemetery, 38 Seventh Ave. NE, Rochester, MN 55906. The vaults are approximately 50 yards west of the entrance of the cemetery and can be found by taking an immediate left inside the main gate. The names of those interred in the Mayo Vault are recorded annually in a memorial register located in the cemetery office.
Please note some of the rules and regulations of Oakwood Cemetery:
- Ground level fresh flower bouquets and artificial arrangements are allowed between May 15 and June 15. These should be secure to the ground and must be removed by June 15. Cemetery staff will dispose of all remaining arrangements including pots and vases at this time.
- Any vases, planters, pots or arrangements left on the ground may be removed at the discretion of the cemetery staff at any time. Any glass containers, ground decorations, mementos, toys, wooden crosses, bird houses, food, trinkets, materials hanging in the trees or shrubs, metal signs, stuffed toys, windsocks, or any other such articles create multiple maintenance challenges and should be kept at home.
- Memory lamps, candles or incense are allowed only while you are visiting and must be taken with you when you leave.
Contact
Body Donation Program
Mayo Clinic
Stabile Building 9-22
200 First St. SW
Rochester, MN 55905
Phone: 507-284-2693
Email: MCDonorProgram@mayo.edu
You may request an informational packet using this online form.
