Organ donation + families

[alpineibex]

I'm confused about organ donation. I am registered to donate everything but I have seen reports that families have over-ridden the deceased's decision to donate organs, despite them being registered.

I don't understand how?

The official website for organ donation states - "The law says that the decision about whether or not to donate your organs rests first and foremost with you. While your family has no legal right to override your decision, in practice their support is always sought. Specialist nurses will be available to provide information and support, answering any questions or concerns families may have. This will allow families to make an informed decision about donation and support your wishes. That is why it's very important to discuss your decision with your family and make them aware you want to be an organ donor."

Do the bits highlighted conflict? What 'informed decision' are families being asked to make about their next of kin's wish to donate organs, if they have no legal right to interfere?

How are families blocking donations?

I don't understand why you need to tell your family at all, it's your choice, and if they have no legal right to override your decision (supposedly) then why would you need to tell them and make sure they support your decision? Surely their support isn't needed?

oops sorry

The only criteria for use of organs should be on medical need. If you start down the path of making decisions outside of that framework the ramifications and results from that approach don't bear thinking about.

Does anybody know if family can override donating your body to medical science if it's viable, I can't find a solid answer? Is there really no way around overriding your family once dead?

I don't know what I'm going to do when grandma died. Everybody will want to give her a funeral, but she doesn't want one and I think that should be respected. My families feelings should be secondary to her wishes, she did so much for all of us. I don't want people ruining her death just so they can have closure, when they know what she wants. It really upsets me.

And if there's a funeral, my mum would probably try and show her face, and that would upset everyone. Someone would try to evict her and then all Hell would break loose.

I've asked her she'd like to be cremated and have a service, she said "no, I just want to be disposed of"

I know it's a bit late, but I'm sorry to those on those thread.

From the Human Tissue Authority UK:

Despite being separate donation systems, it is possible for a person to be registered as an organ donor, and to have registered their wish to donate their body to a medical school. However, medical schools will usually decline a body donation if the person has undergone surgery to remove organs for transplantation.

From Bereavement Advice Centre:

Whole body donation. If you wish to donate your whole body for medical training it is essential that before you die, you make your wishes known in writing and that this is witnessed. You should also inform your next of kin and the executor of your Will if this is not the same person.

There is a lot of information on both those sites, it may well be worth you looking at them and contacting them for further clarification if required.

Thank you !

I'm sorry for this thread.

Accept my apologies, too, please alpineibex, it's an emotive subject and you seem to have/had a lot to deal with. Take care