to think the way to double (at least) the amt of people on the organ donar list is..

[BuddyTheChristmasElf]

to offer the option of having the remains returned ready cremated - so no undertaker costs to the family
Like they do if you donate to medical science

I'm considering the medical science route so that my family don't have funeral costs, and if organ donation offered that too I'd choose that instead

AIBU to think that it would work well?

[FryOneFatManic]

You are aware that if you leave your body to medical science, then once they've finished dissecting your body or whatever they do, the remains will be returned to your family.

[CajaDeLaMemoria]

Yes, very few places offer body disposal, and those that do will not guarantee it. Your body needs to be useful/relevant at the time that you die.

[BuddyTheChristmasElf]

there are some ways of doing it so that the remains are returned to the family ready cremated, for free, which is what I want to look into because it'll mean no undertaker costs (but the family can have some sort of ceremony if they choose)

I think it would be good if organ donations offered this option, I'd go for that instead. Surely cheaper on the health service than an electronic heart used to keep someone alive while on the organ waiting list?

[BuddyTheChristmasElf]

not body disposal, I'm talking about when the remains are returned, but cremated already

why wouldn't this be a good idea for organ donors?

[LadyWidmerpool]

I am signed up and the forms say that if my body is accepted, at the end of the process I will be cremated by the university and the remains returned to my family. My body might not be accepted in which case the family will organise disposing of it. The papers were very clear.

[OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos]

It might work well for some people, but I can't see it being a massive incentive tbh. I could be wrong though!

[BuddyTheChristmasElf]

see I knew I wasn't imagining it!

surely it'd be cost effective to do this for organ donors Vs the cost of keeping people alive and in hospital beds while they wait on the list?

[BuddyTheChristmasElf]

it would be an incentive for me because I am in two minds about organ donation, but this would sway it for me.. then again it might not for people whose next of kin could come up with a bit of extra cash for an undertaker/cremation at short notice? I don't know how my DH would.

[FeckOffCup]

But who would foot the bill for the cremations, the NHS? Think they could use the money better elsewhere to be honest.

[PelvicFloorClenchReminder]

It's not really particularly fair on people who have spent their lives on the organ donor register, then die of cancer rendering their organs non donateable (no idea if that is a word, suspect not) - their family would have to pay cremation fees. How is that fair?

[Pictureperfect]

The best way to raise the amount of people IMO is to register as a donor, TELL your family your wishes and ask anyone and everyone you know to do the same. I know some people who work hard to raise awareness and its shocking how many people would like to donate but have never told their family.

I knew Jon Paul, a really lovely lad who passed away 9 days after his 21st birthday because his lungs didn't come in time (only 50% of people waiting for lungs will get them), his mum wants the opt out system www.postpals.co.uk/pals-page/jon-paul-o/

[ChippingInLovesAutumn]

Would you accept an organ if you needed one?

[MrsTerryPratchett]

I cannot imagine that even a small number of people, let alone double the current number, would donate based on this. I want to donate if possible, am registered and all that. However, young, healthy organs are needed and not to put to fine a point on it, people who worry about funeral costs are older people or sick people. Not the 18 year old motorbike riding accident victims that make good donors.

[BuddyTheChristmasElf]

"But who would foot the bill for the cremations, the NHS? Think they could use the money better elsewhere to be honest."

the cost of cremation is far less than the cost of keeping someone in hospital on the waiting list!

"Would you accept an organ if you needed one?" - I honestly don't know, I am on the fence. There are lots of people on the fence about organ donation.

"people who worry about funeral costs are older people or sick people." um I'm neither, I'm a mum of young kids and I wouldn't want my DH getting into dept at a time like that if something unexpected happened, that is why I'm looking into the medical science route

[BuddyTheChristmasElf]

"Not the 18 year old motorbike riding accident victims that make good donors"

1- RTAs have a better survival rate now so there's less yong RTA deaths anyway
2- it is extrememly rare for someone to die who can't donate ANYTHING, that is a bit of a myth. All kinds of things can be donated, not just pump young hearts.

[GhostShip]

I think we should have an 'opt out' system instead of people having to opt in.

I'm sure loads more wouldn't mind their organs being used, but are either too lazy or too busy to get their names down.

[BuddyTheChristmasElf]

but the register itself doesn't decide it, so on opt out register wouldn't make a difference really because it comes down to the consent of the family, and you don't have to be on the register for your family to be asked, most families are asked and they still say no. We were asked and my parent wasn't on the organ donation register

I can imagine a lot of families who are suddenly faced with unexpected financial hardship ON TOP of a bereavement might be swayed if some of that pressure and stress would be taken away by it

[BuddyTheChristmasElf]

all the register seems to do is indicate to the family that it was something the deceased considered a good idea at one point, it doesn't automatically mean the family say yes, so neither would an opt out register

[HopeForTheBest]

You can't have an opt-out system. The state does not have the right to your body.

OP I think YABU and quite naive; I very much doubt this would make much difference at all.

[BuddyTheChristmasElf]

well it would make a difference to me
thought there might be others
especially as it works as an incentive for the medical science people!

[GhostShip]

You can't have an opt-out system. The state does not have the right to your body

I'm aware of this, I'm just putting my idea out.

[HopeForTheBest]

So if I understand this right, you would only be interested in donating your organs if your family got the rest of your body back cremated because this saves on funeral costs?

If I've got that right, then I really don't think that that is going to be a deal-breaker for very many people, and certainly nowhere near enough to double the number on the organ donar list.

But GhostShip do you think the state should have the right to your body?

[BuddyTheChristmasElf]

Hope, I am considering the medical science route because potentially it could cover the costs of cremation for my family

If organ donation did the same I'd consider that instead

[AKissIsNotAContract]

An opt out system wouldn't give the state the right to your body. Consent from the next of kin still needs to be obtained even when someone is on the donor register and this wouldn't change with an opt out system.

I think opt out would be a good idea. A lot of people don't bother registering not because they are ideologically opposed but just because it isn't high on their to do list. The people who care enough to oppose donation would take the time to opt out.