2002 Alaska Statutes
Title 13 DECEDENTS' ESTATES, GUARDIANSHIPS, TRANSFERS, AND TRUSTS
Chapter 13.50. UNIFORM ANATOMICAL GIFT ACT
Sec. 13.50.060. Rights and duties at death; exemption from liability and prosecution.

(a) The donee may accept or reject the gift. If the donee accepts a gift of the entire body, the donee may, subject to the terms of the gift, authorize embalming and the use of the body in funeral services. If the gift is of a part of the body, the donee, upon the death of the donor and before embalming shall have the part removed without unnecessary mutilation. After removal of the part of the body, custody of the remainder of the body vests in the surviving spouse, next of kin, or a person other than the spouse or next of kin who is authorized to dispose of the body. A person described in AS 13.50.010 (b) and the estate of the donor may not be held liable for the cost of an examination under AS 13.50.010 (e) or any costs related to the removal, storage, or transportation of a gift.

(b) The time of death shall be determined by a physician who attends the donor at death, or, if no physician attends, by the physician who certifies the death. The physician may not participate in the procedures for removing or transplanting a part of the body, except as provided in AS 13.50.030 (d).

(c) A hospital, physician, surgeon, technician, or other person who acts in good faith in accordance with the terms of this chapter or the anatomical gift laws of another state or country or attempts in good faith to do so is not liable for damages for the act or the attempt in a civil action or subject to prosecution in a criminal proceeding for the act or the attempt.

(d) The provisions of this chapter are subject to the state autopsy laws under AS 12.65.