[The anatomy room as a space of contact with death]

During a program of scientific initiation the author had her attention addressed to the anatomy room, seen as an important academic experience on the formation of health professionals. This study had as its objective the understanding of the first contact students of the medical and nursing area have with death in this room. The methodology applied was the phenomenological investigation. Reports from students were obtained when these were taking the anatomy course. The data analyzed evidenced that the main concern to students was to learn about the anatomical parts of the body, seen as fragments of a biological body, in detriment of a global view on the human body. In that sense, many relegate the feelings of fear and sadness, adapting quickly in view of scientific and technical refinement. The study attempts for the need of using this academic space for discussions on death in order to have a more humanitarian health assistance.