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If the subject is raised by the family their questions should be answered but an in-depth discussion should be politely postponed unless irreversible circulatory arrest is imminent or brain death confirmation is imminent or complete. Once a patient has been identified as a potential eye donor, consent for the donation must be obtained from the patient's family. It is common practice to seek family consent, even when it can be ascertained that the patient had signed a donor card or enrolled in a donor registry. Approaching a family for consent is never an easy task. Both the family and staff who attended the patient are caught up in the grieving process.