Anatomical Monument

The State Anatomical Board and the Anatomical Education Program were created in 1903 because of the ongoing graverobbing scandals facing not only Indiana but the entire United States. The Indiana General Assembly wanted to ensure the quality of education for medical and dental students without the issues of schools purchasing remains, sometimes without the family’s consent. 

Upon acceptance of the donor, the Anatomical Education Program provides transportation and embalming, notifies Social Security, and assists in filing paperwork (such as death certificates and other necessary forms). Following use of the body for teaching, the remains are cremated and either inurned in Crown Hill Cemetery or, upon request, returned to the family. The Anatomical Section gives family a place to remember their loved one in a variety of ways — names on the wall, benches, and bricks on the walkways, to name a few. 

They come from a variety of backgrounds, like medicine (Pauline Liestenfelz from Marion, IN was a nurse), teachers (Kephart Linson of Beech Grove and James Tansey of Mishawaka both taught), laborers (Donald Sloan of Mishawaka, IN worked for the U.S. Postal Service, while Clive Siler of Indianapolis was a machinist), homemakers (like Geneva O’Brien Higgs of Greenwood, IN), artists (David Rubins of Indianapolis was a sculptor and Richard Dickinson was a jazz musician), and white collared professionals (Richard Liscum of Valparaiso, IN was an accountant).  Those donating their remains to the education program do so for a variety of personal reasons.