Are you ready to donate yourself after death?

Moore · Post by **Moore** » 20 Nov 2009, 09:27

I've been recently discussing this problem and i knew that some of my friends wouldn't like to have their organs donated after death just to help some other people. Sorry, but i can't catch then, as what for i need all this after I'm dead if I can safe some kids for example?
What is your point of view on the problem?

Bowlie · Post by **Bowlie** » 20 Nov 2009, 10:11

I think it's a very personal decision. Some people aren't comfortable with the thought of donating their organs after they die. Some people are. I know someone that donated their organs after they died and thought it was very commendable, but if they hadn't, I wouldn't have felt like they or their family had made the wrong decision.

The Mythwriter · Post by **The Mythwriter** » 20 Nov 2009, 14:37

Personally, I'll be gone, people can do what they want with my shell afterwards, I really don't think there'll be much left of me hanging around to care. The only factor to me is if my family would get emotional closure from a more traditional funeral and all, but that's their choice.

I can understand why others would feel more concerned over what happens to their bodies after they die though. You kinda get attached to it after awhile, I can see why a lot of poeple are uncomfortable with having seemingly cold and scientific procedures done to it afterwards.

Bowlie · Post by **Bowlie** » 20 Nov 2009, 17:22

The Mythwriter wrote:The only factor to me is if my family would get emotional closure from a more traditional funeral and all, but that's their choice.

You can still have a traditional funeral even if you donate your organs. The person I was referring to still had an open casket visitation and didn't look any different than if he hadn't donated any of his organs (I think they took his corneas, some skin, and some brain tissue but it didn't affect the "look" of his body for the viewing).

poomlie · Post by **poomlie** » 20 Nov 2009, 21:19

My husbanded and I are registered to leave our bodies with a company that I researched thoroughly. The company picks up the body, takes the organs and parts that they can use, then they cremate the body and send it back to the family. This all takes about six weeks and there is no cost to the family. Win, Win. People get helped and your family isn't stuck with the bill.

I can understand the hesitation to want to do this, however. It is a very personal decision. Fortunately my family is fine with my decision.

ryan2 · Post by **ryan2** » 21 Nov 2009, 11:59

Just on the off chance that when I die I become a ghost, I would like the comfort of returning to see my hopefully intact corpse just to remind myself that I really was once alive, I did die, and I am not crazy. I don't want to have hitch a ride maybe across the country or even the world to go visit 5 other graves for this reassurance.

The Mythwriter · Post by **The Mythwriter** » 21 Nov 2009, 21:11

Bowlie wrote:
The Mythwriter wrote:The only factor to me is if my family would get emotional closure from a more traditional funeral and all, but that's their choice.
You can still have a traditional funeral even if you donate your organs. The person I was referring to still had an open casket visitation and didn't look any different than if he hadn't donated any of his organs (I think they took his corneas, some skin, and some brain tissue but it didn't affect the "look" of his body for the viewing).

Oh yes, I was speaking to the extreme of donating my entire body to scientific research, and failed to clarify that.

J.Seishu · Post by **J.Seishu** » 24 Nov 2009, 05:46

I allready signed up for donation. The best choice i've made in quite a while. To be honest i never really understood why some people wouldn't want to donate their organs after death to save someone else. Oh, well. we all have different opinions.

victorian.noire · Post by **victorian.noire** » 30 Nov 2009, 19:56

My boyfriend has had trouble with cancer twice in his life, needing constant blood transfusions, with the possibility of cancer re-accuring for the third time in his lungs and liver...and i know i would give anything to be a donor for him. i think if people look beyond their empty shell of a body and realize their are peoples and family members who could benefit from donations they would be more comfortable with it. i know i am!

though donating your body entirely to science wuold be pretty cool too

hania5 · Post by **hania5** » 03 Dec 2009, 04:46

I won't need it where-ever I will be going, so it may as well be put to good use. I would think it a compliment that there was anything left that anyone would want.

gemmie1 · Post by **gemmie1** » 05 Dec 2009, 01:33

In Australia you have to tick on your driver's licence application if you NOT want to be a donor. When your licence renewal comes in the mail, it comes with a leaflet about donating organs and the opportunity to choose to donate if you have previously preferred not to.

My first job out of school was working in a Doctor's surgery, so I guess I have always been aware of how acutely organ donations are needed.

I am recorded as an Organ Donor and now my children all have their driver's licences, they have elected to donate as well.

morebooks4me · Post by **morebooks4me** » 21 Dec 2009, 20:05

I want my body to be donated to Bodyworlds. It's an exhibit that travels the world. A doctor preserves the body parts through plastination and creates museum exhibits so that people can see and learn from it. Most people leave the exhibit with a feeling of wanting to take better care of their bodies after seeing things like smokers lung and cirrhosis of the liver.

victorian.noire · Post by **victorian.noire** » 21 Dec 2009, 20:14

morebooks4me wrote:I want my body to be donated to Bodyworlds. It's an exhibit that travels the world.

so what would you want your body to be doing in its second life? i like the orchestra conductor

Moe · Post by **Moe** » 21 Dec 2009, 21:46

OK, it might be more than any of you ever wanted to know but I recently read:

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

Parts of it are hilarious but it is definitely not for the squeamish.