Annual Memorial Ceremony

*The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine annually hosts a memorial service to pay homage to those individuals who have donated their bodies to insure the excellence of medical education and the advancement of medical science at the university.

This service is conducted by representatives of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and those of the Catholic, Jewish and Protestant faiths. The cremains of donors are to be buried in a plot at Spring Grove Cemetery, which is identified by a monument with the inscription, "Through Their Thoughtfulness Knowledge Grows."

According to Bruce Giffin, PhD, director of the Body Donation Program, "The thoughtfulness of donors gives students an important educational experience that is critical in their training. It also provides physicians and the research scientists the opportunity to gain knowledge which may prolong or improve someone’s life."

The memorial service also serves as a way to publicly thank the families and friends of donors. These individuals are invited to attend the memorial service and may join the procession to the monument site after the service.

Annual Dedication Service