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. Organ donation is a gift. All costs relating to the organ recovery are charged to the organ recipients. All of the major religions support the individual's right to make a personal decision about organ donation.