SLU Medical Students Honor Gift of Body Donors with Memorial Service
ST. LOUIS - Saint Louis University School of Medicine students honored those who donated their bodies for medical education with an interfaith memorial service on Friday, Oct. 23.
The service is put together by first-year medical students, led by faculty and staff in the the Center for Anatomical Science and Education (CASE) and Campus Ministry.
The students are involved in every aspect of the service - from choosing and performing the music, creating the program artwork and picking the flowers used in the flower procession. A mix of first-year medical students, graduate students and Allied Health students also serve during the memorial ushers and greeters.
The service, held at St. Francis Xavier College Church, honors all the faith traditions represented in the medical school class. This year’s service included prayers from the Catholic, Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints traditions.
Gift Body Program
Each year, people donate their bodies to SLU School of Medicine’s Gift Body Program through the Center for Anatomical Science and Education to educate medical students, allied health students and residents. Between Oct. 1, 2025, and Sept. 30, 2026, 339 people donated their bodies to SLU.
Saint Louis University’s Gift Body Program is committed to excellence in research and education. The study of human anatomy has long been and continues to be essential to training physicians, physical therapists and other health science professionals.
Twice a year, ashes are buried at Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, 7030 Gravois Ave. A graveside service is conducted by the medical school campus minister and attended by CASE faculty and staff.
There is one common grave marker at the site with the following inscription: “Saint Louis University and its students gratefully acknowledge the charity of those buried here who gave their remains for the advancement of medical science.”
Those interested in learning more about the gift body program can call 314-977-8027.