Harvard Medical School

Allegations of theft and sale of body donors' remains by a former Harvard Medical School morgue manager.

Harvard Medical School has agreed to pay $53 million to settle class action lawsuits filed by relatives of body donors whose remains were allegedly stolen and sold on the black market by its former morgue manager, Cedric Lodge. The settlement, which is pending court approval, will establish two funds totaling $53 million. The lawsuits were brought by 47 relatives of individuals who donated their remains to Harvard Medical School between January 1, 2018, and March 31, 2023. Harvard stated it cannot precisely determine which donors' remains were stolen. In addition to the financial settlement, Harvard Medical School will provide families with a statement condemning Lodge's actions and outlining program improvements, and will establish an annual scholarship for medical students.

• Relatives or designees of people who donated their remains to Harvard Medical School between January 1, 2018, and March 31, 2023.
• Exact eligibility will be confirmed once the claim process opens.