Florida Statute 406.56
“Acceptance of human remains under will”
What it means
A will can leave a body to science, and Florida Statute 406.56 is the section that receives it. If a person of sound mind executes a will leaving his or her remains to the anatomical board for medical education or research, and the person dies within the geographical limits of the state, the board may accept and receive the remains.
Note both limits: the gift must arrive through a will, and acceptance is permissive — the board may accept, not must. A death outside Florida falls outside the section.
- A person of sound mind may leave remains to the anatomical board by will, for medical education or research.
- The section applies only when death occurs within the geographical limits of Florida.
- Acceptance is discretionary — the board may accept and receive the remains; nothing obligates it to.
How it plays out
A will is a slow instrument for a fast decision — it is often read after the funeral. When clients want whole-body donation, we treat §406.56 as the backstop, not the plan: the working documents are an anatomical-gift designation under chapter 765 and written disposition directions under §497.005, arranged with the receiving program while the donor is alive. The will provision still matters when it is all that exists, and the board can honor it — if the death happened in Florida and the board says yes.
Questions people ask
