Open · taking new casesMon–Fri 8a–6p67 FL countiesFlat fees, published
★★★★★Florida Bar member · 9 years
← All statutes
Chapter 406 — Medical Examiners & Unclaimed Remains

Florida Statute 406.59

Institutions receiving human remains

What it means

Florida Statute 406.59 sets two conditions on the receiving end of the anatomical board's pipeline. A university, school, college, teaching hospital, or institution may not receive human remains from the board until its facilities are inspected and approved by the anatomical board.

And once received, the remains may not be used for any purpose other than medical education or research — the use restriction follows the body into the institution.

— What it says
  • No institution may receive remains from the board before its facilities are inspected and approved by the board.
  • Received remains may be used only for medical education or research — no other purpose.
  • The rule covers universities, schools, colleges, teaching hospitals, and institutions taking board remains.
— In a real probate

How it plays out

This is the vetting tier of the donation system, and it is why 'donated to science' through the board means an inspected institution rather than an address. When families ask what protects a donated body from misuse, the honest chain is: §406.57 limits who receives, §406.59 requires facility approval and confines use to education or research, and §406.60 controls what happens after. Donation through the board is the traceable route — the hard questions start when a body travels outside it.

Where this shows up

Pages on this site where § 406.59 does real work:

The official text
This page is a plain-English summary, verified against the 2026 Florida Statutes — it is not the statute, and it isn't legal advice for your situation.
Read § 406.59
Free 30-minute consult

You're going to get through this.

Tell us what's happening. We'll tell you exactly which path applies, what it'll cost, and how long it'll take. No sales pitch. Most calls end with a 4-step plan and zero stress.

Florida Bar #127500RPPTL SectionSarasota Bar AssociationFL Assoc. Women Lawyers