You are only considered a candidate for donation after you are declared legally dead.
Every effort is made to save the life of a patient.
Medical treatment you receive in the hospital is not affected by your commitment to donation. Removal of donated organs and tissues occurs during a surgical procedure and the donor's body is treated with respect and dignity. Therefore, you can have a traditional, open casket funeral service. Donation does not interfere with funeral arrangements which remain the responsibility of the donor's family. Donor families do not pay for nor receive payment for organ and tissue donation.