A person under 18 years of age may become a donor with the family's permission. Your will may be read too late to make you a donor. Your donor card and informing your family of your wishes is all you need. Simply tear up the card and inform your family. The entire emphasis of the medical care is to save the patient's life.
Every effort is made to maintain life before organ donation is considered an option.
The transplant team is contacted only after death is declared. Organ procurement specialists will obtain consent from the next of kin and removal of organs and tissues will occur after necessary arrangements are made. Donors can have open casket funerals. Donation procedures do not interfere with funeral arrangements. The funeral and burial arrangements remain the responsibility of the next of kin.