If my loved one is an organ donor, how do the process work after they pass away?

Many individuals have the organ donor box checked on their license and have expressed their desire to loved ones to be an organ donor when they pass away. What many people don't know is how the whole organ donor process works and may be so grief stricken at the time of death that they are unable to accommodate their loved ones wishes. As they progress through the grief process regrets over not following through may bring on feelings of guilt. Honoring the wishes of those that have passed can be very simply done by doing some research and knowing what's in store.

When an organ donor passes away, a nurse or doctor will typically contact your local organ donor service for the area of the country where your loved one passed. The screeners will ask the medical personnel a number of particulars regarding your loved one's health and medical history and that information will help them determine if any of the organs can be a candidate for organ donation. If your loved one can in fact be considered for organ donation you will be contacted within a one to two hour time frame with the details and at that point in time you will need to make the decision as to whether or not to go forward. You will never be coerced into making a decision one way or the other and both the medical personnel and the organ donor screeners will support your decision.

There are a number of possibilities when it comes to organ donation and they include but are not limited to skin tissue, heart or other major organs, eyes and even bone and connective tissue. Organ donation can also consist of donating the lungs, liver and kidney to individuals in need of a gift of life.

If the organs are going to be used the body is gently harvested with the upmost respect for those needed organs and taken by the quickest means to the individual in need. With a little bit of luck and a great deal of medical skill, many organ donations are successful and where one life has ended another has been given a second chance. Organ donation is not for everyone and due to religious beliefs and other factors may be a wish that families simply cannot fulfill.

Choosing to donate the organs of your loved one is a decision that must be taken very seriously and is a very selfless decision to make. There are a number of medical personnel that are trained to assist families that are overcome with grief make informed and rational decisions with regards to organ donation. Should you have any questions you can always contact the organ donation organization in your area or even your local chapter of The American Red Cross. The family of the donor has the final say in whether or not the organs are donated and at no point in time will you be put under any sort of duress to sway your decision one way or the other.