Your organs and tissues will not be donated unless a family member gives consent at the time of your death. It is essential that family members know your wishes. Yes, however a legally responsible adult should witness your signature on the donor card. Organ, tissue and eye recovery happens only after every effort has been made to save your life and death has been declared. Donation should not interfere with funeral plans, including open casket services.
Donation costs nothing to the donor's family or estate.
All major religious groups in the United States approve and support the principles and practices of organ and tissue donation. Transplantation is consistent with the life preserving traditions of these faiths. It is illegal to sell human organs and tissues. Patients are matched to organs based on a number of factors, including blood and tissue typing, medical urgency, time on the waiting list and geographic location. Factors such as race, gender, age, income or celebrity status are never considered when determining who receives an organ.