Allied Healthcare Partners

Funeral Directors in support of organ and tissue donation:

There is no doubt that deciding to donate a loved one's organs and tissue at the time of death takes courage. As the donation process comes to an end, another process begins. As with the decision to donate, funeral arrangements are also fraught with difficult decisions. It also helps when the funeral director is familiar with the process once the decision to donate has been made.

It takes skill to facilitate all aspects of care after death. Funeral directors are experts in supporting families during difficult times and this positions them well to address organ and tissue donation for those clients that are considering pre-planning their arrangements. Funeral directors can support this important cause in several ways:

• Remind those who prearrange their own funeral or transfer services to discuss organ and tissue donation with their families to ensure their wishes are understood and fulfilled;
• Assist families by dispelling myths that surround organ and tissue donation. There are no age barriers to donation and there are no major religions that prohibit the deceased from making this 'gift of life'
• Work with the Network to support families by outlining information around organ and tissue donation with regards to funeral services
• Acknowledge the donor family's generous decision to give life
• Channel comments and/or concerns expressed by donor families to the Network to facilitate a better understanding of their specific needs
• Establish working groups to provide resources for those who have yet to embalm organ and tissue donors. Mourning the loss of a loved one is always difficult, but there is solace in knowing that organ and tissue donation can help change the quality of life of someone on the waiting list. Although each family is different, in each case the family can be proud of the decision they made to donate. By building strong, mutually beneficial relationships with our funeral services partners, we're confident we can positively influence organ and tissue donation outcomes in Ontario.