Body Disposition & Organ Donation |
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Disposal of Body After Death
There are four different options for the disposal of the bodies of people who have died.
1. There is traditional burial and in which the body is embalmed, placed in a casket, and buried in a
cemetery with a headstone marking the place of burial.
2. There is cremation in a specialized furnace that reduces the body to ash.
The ash may be retained by the family, buried or distributed in some other way.
An alternative to placing thermal cremation is "aquamation" that involves dissolving the body by pressurized water and chemicals before burial or return.
3. There is body donation to a university medical school for training or educational purposes, or to nonprofit or for-profit organization that extracts organs for transplant or research.
After serving it intended purpose, the body is cremated and is returned to the donor’s family if they wish.
And 4. is a "Green Burial" in which the body is placed in a wooden or wicker casket or covered with a
shroud and buried in a natural area devoted to that purpose.
At this time, there is only one business in Tucson, Marana Mortuary and Cemetery,
that provides green burial. Bisbee also has a Green Burial site.
We highly recommend that you seek out help and information from the Arizona Funeral Consumers Alliance. They are a nonprofit dedicated to helping you avoid unnecessary costs and scams.
Please visit their website: www.fcaaz.org/
There are four different options for the disposal of the bodies of people who have died.
1. There is traditional burial and in which the body is embalmed, placed in a casket, and buried in a
cemetery with a headstone marking the place of burial.
2. There is cremation in a specialized furnace that reduces the body to ash.
The ash may be retained by the family, buried or distributed in some other way.
An alternative to placing thermal cremation is "aquamation" that involves dissolving the body by pressurized water and chemicals before burial or return.
3. There is body donation to a university medical school for training or educational purposes, or to nonprofit or for-profit organization that extracts organs for transplant or research.
After serving it intended purpose, the body is cremated and is returned to the donor’s family if they wish.
And 4. is a "Green Burial" in which the body is placed in a wooden or wicker casket or covered with a
shroud and buried in a natural area devoted to that purpose.
At this time, there is only one business in Tucson, Marana Mortuary and Cemetery,
that provides green burial. Bisbee also has a Green Burial site.
We highly recommend that you seek out help and information from the Arizona Funeral Consumers Alliance. They are a nonprofit dedicated to helping you avoid unnecessary costs and scams.
Please visit their website: www.fcaaz.org/
Farewell Finder
Farewell Finder is a guided, easy-to-use end-of-life planning tool that helps people document and share their wishes with loved ones. The step-by-step Farewell Plan keeps key decisions, contacts, and preferences organized in one place, ensuring families have clear direction.
Farewell Finder also includes a transparent funeral home directory for Arizona, allowing families to compare services and pricing to make informed decisions.
https://www.farewellfinder.com
Farewell Finder also includes a transparent funeral home directory for Arizona, allowing families to compare services and pricing to make informed decisions.
https://www.farewellfinder.com
Burials & Cremations & Aquamations
Green Burials
https://youtu.be/A8gAITE7LTI
Better Place Forests (Green Burial Forests)
https://www.betterplaceforests.com/
Memorial Tree Pricing (Better Place Forests)
https://www.betterplaceforests.com/memorial-tree-pricing/
Aquamation (YouTube Video)
https://youtu.be/xKcrW1aI4GM
Green Burials
https://youtu.be/A8gAITE7LTI
Better Place Forests (Green Burial Forests)
https://www.betterplaceforests.com/
Memorial Tree Pricing (Better Place Forests)
https://www.betterplaceforests.com/memorial-tree-pricing/
Aquamation (YouTube Video)
https://youtu.be/xKcrW1aI4GM
Tissue, Organ, and Body Donations
https://www.dnaz.org/understanding-donation/
One of our Board Members, Althea Halchuck, also serves on the advisory board of Bright BioServices.
They have her full faith and confidence as a great place for you to donate your body for research.
Currently they only operate in Arizona.
https://www.brightbioservices.com/faq
https://www.dnaz.org/understanding-donation/
One of our Board Members, Althea Halchuck, also serves on the advisory board of Bright BioServices.
They have her full faith and confidence as a great place for you to donate your body for research.
Currently they only operate in Arizona.
https://www.brightbioservices.com/faq
Frequently Asked Questions about Organ Donation
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/organ-donation/frequently-asked-questions-about-organ-donation-older-adults
Below are links to sources of more information:
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/organ-donation/frequently-asked-questions-about-organ-donation-older-adults
Below are links to sources of more information:
- Science Care – Whole Body Donation
- United Tissue Network (Arizona Whole Body Donation)
- The Living Bank (Organ Donation Info)
- Research for Life (Body Donation)
- MedCure (Body Donation)
Choice and Dignity, Inc.
PO Box 86886, Tucson, AZ 85754
Phone: 800-811-4112
Email: [email protected]
Website: choiceanddignity.org
Disclaimer:
Choice and Dignity, Inc. provides educational programs and resources related to end-of-life concerns, including deliberate life completion and death with dignity. We do not encourage, promote, or endorse suicide. Our goal is to offer information protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Laws regarding aid in dying vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. It is not the intent of Choice and Dignity, Inc. to violate any applicable laws. We urge individuals to consult with qualified legal or medical professionals for specific advice.
Privacy Policy
© 2025 Choice and Dignity, Inc. All rights reserved. | 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
PO Box 86886, Tucson, AZ 85754
Phone: 800-811-4112
Email: [email protected]
Website: choiceanddignity.org
Disclaimer:
Choice and Dignity, Inc. provides educational programs and resources related to end-of-life concerns, including deliberate life completion and death with dignity. We do not encourage, promote, or endorse suicide. Our goal is to offer information protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Laws regarding aid in dying vary by jurisdiction and are subject to change. It is not the intent of Choice and Dignity, Inc. to violate any applicable laws. We urge individuals to consult with qualified legal or medical professionals for specific advice.
Privacy Policy
© 2025 Choice and Dignity, Inc. All rights reserved. | 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.