The deceased may have wanted to donate organs/tissue for transplant. This will be easier if they: The family/relatives will still be asked to give their consent before donation.
If a person who has died is not known to have requested that organs be removed for transplantation after death, the designated person (i.e., the person lawfully in possession of the body) may only authorise the removal if, having made such reasonable enquiry as may be practicable, there is no reason to believe: that the deceased had expressed any objection to his/her body being so dealt with after death and had not withdrawn it. that the family/relatives of the deceased objects to the body being so dealt with. there are religious obstacles. Any known religious views should be taken into account and, when a person adheres to a religious belief whose views on organ donation are not known with certainty, the likely views of the deceased should be explored in discussion with the family/relatives.
An approach may be made by: It can be difficult sometimes for an approach about organ donation to be made, but to consider it as a gift may help. Sometimes, family/ relatives who are not given the choice may wonder later why they were not asked, and they may develop a feeling of resentment.
It is important to be aware of the circumstances in which organ donation is possible (e.g., it is particularly important that the cause of death be known). In any case where the cause of death is not clearly due to natural causes the Procurator Fiscal must be consulted. When the family/relatives consent to organ donation, the transplant co-ordinator will explain the implications and procedures, and a reassurance will be given that the body will be treated with respect and dignity. (In particular, it is important to be aware that heart valve donation [tissue donation] may require that a large part of the heart is retained, and not just a small piece of tissue.)
The removal of corneas or heart valves needs to be done soon after death because of the need to preserve the tissue.
If organ donation is to proceed, the transplant co-ordinator makes contact with UKTSSA, and coordinates the arrangements with the surgical teams responsible for organ removal.
It will be unusual for a child to have requested in advance that his/her organs or tissue be used for transplantation. In such a case, however, providing the child is of an age where it is reasonable to believe he/she would have understood what that involved, the designated person is entitled to authorise removal in accordance with the request as if the child were an adult. Where no such request has been made enquiry must be made of the parents whether, they as surviving relatives of the donor, object.
The Human Organ Transplants Act (1989) prohibits commercial dealing in organs including non-regenerative tissue. It is a criminal offence to make or receive payment in return for supplying an organ from a dead (or living person) intended for transplantation.
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