However, this usually requires specific arrangements with the recipient of the body, such as a medical school. If you think you might want to donate your body to research, you should locate a medical school or other research organization that needs it. They should be able to help you document your donation to be sure they receive your body after death. You can also specify whom you want to receive your donation. However, not all recipients can use a donation for any purpose.
Laws vary from state to state on acceptable recipients.
Some states prohibit specifying a recipient on the basis of race, age, religion, sexual orientation, and other factors. They should be able to help you document your donation properly. If you don't specify a recipient or if the recipient you specify cannot accept the donation, the law generally provides that the donation can be transferred to an appropriate person or institution. There is a national system to allocate organs to individuals who need them for transplantation. Factors such as urgency of need, closeness of biological match, and geographic proximity help determine who gets the organs.