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. It is illegal in the United States to buy or sell human organs. The procurement organizations pay for all costs related to the recovery of organs and tissues. Hospital expenses incurred before the donation of organs and tissues in attempts to save the donor's life, and funeral expenses remain the responsibility of the donor's family.
Most major religions support organ and tissue donation and the concept of brain death.
Many faiths openly encourage it, seeing this as a final act of giving and an expression of hope on the part of the donor. Brain death is different from a coma. Brain death occurs when a person has permanent irreversible head injury, such as a trauma, brain hemorrhage, stroke or any prolonged lack of oxygen to the brain. Organ donors may also donate tissues. You can save and enhance the lives of those who desperately need an organ or tissue transplant by signing a donor card, discussing your wishes with your family and encouraging others to do so as well.