5 Myths About Organ, Eye, and Tissue Donation — Busted!

By Chris Donhost, CFDA Communications Committee Member

When it comes to organ, eye, and tissue donation, a lot of folks are all-in emotionally, spiritually, and even practically. The little pink dot on a driver’s license is often seen as a final act of generosity; a decision made with love and altruism. But despite the overwhelming good that donation does, a few persistent myths continue to swirl around like stubborn fog over the Golden Gate Bridge.

As funeral professionals, we understand these concerns from both grieving families and even some industry peers. So today, on behalf of the California Funeral Directors Association, we’re clearing the air—and busting five of the most common myths about donation. Let’s make it easier for families to make informed decisions and honor their loved ones' wishes, while ensuring a compassionate collaboration between funeral staff and donor recovery teams.

Myth #1: “If you’re a donor, you can’t have an open casket viewing.”

Let’s start with the big one.

Many families worry that donation means they’ll have to say goodbye in a closed casket, or that they won’t be able to see their loved one. Fortunately, this simply isn’t true.

Organ, eye, and tissue recovery is performed with the utmost care and respect. Recovery agencies work closely with mortuary professionals to ensure best outcomes when the donor’s body is to be prepared for viewing. Embalmers are skilled artists and preservationists who routinely help families feel a sense of peace.

Yes, certain types of tissue recovery may involve longer preparation times or specialized care. But with good communication between recovery agencies and funeral homes, it’s absolutely possible (and common!) for families to have the type of service they envision, even with donation.

Myth #2: “It costs money to be a donor.”

Let’s say it together: Organ, eye, and tissue donation is free.

Being a registered donor will not add a single penny to a family’s funeral bill for the donation itself. The cost of recovery, preservation, and transportation related to organ and tissue donation is covered by the recovery organization or transplant program and not the family.

That said, it is appropriate and common for a funeral home to charge for additional services that may be required due to donation. For example, extended preparation time, facility use, or transportation might create extra work or costs for the funeral home. In these cases, those charges can and should be billed directly to the donor services agency, not to the family.

Good communication is key. Funeral directors and recovery agency liaisons should work together to clarify billing processes and ensure everyone is on the same page. When done properly, donation does not impose a financial burden on the family, and the funeral home is fairly compensated for its additional efforts.

This myth can cause a lot of unnecessary stress at an already emotional time. As funeral professionals, we can play an important role in reassuring families that donation is a gift, not a bill.

Myth #3: “If the paramedics see I’m a donor, they won’t try to save me.”

Okay, now this one sounds like a great movie plot. In real life, it's 100% false.

Emergency responders and medical professionals are trained to do one thing: save lives. That’s their mission, their code, and their calling. Organ donation doesn’t even come into play until after every possible life-saving effort has been exhausted and death has been legally declared by a physician.

Your status as a donor has no impact on the medical care you receive. Paramedics and hospital staff are entirely separate from the organ procurement organizations that manage transplants, and those teams play no role in emergency or critical care treatment.

You can rest assured: if you have a pink dot on your license, the paramedics will still do everything in their power to save your life. Promise.

Myth #4: “I’m too old or unhealthy to be a donor.”

You might think there’s an age limit for generosity, but when it comes to donation, there isn’t a strict cutoff.

People of all ages have been able to donate organs, eyes, and tissues. In fact, the oldest recorded organ donor in the U.S. was 98 years old! While some medical conditions may prevent certain types of donation, the final determination is made at the time of death by medical professionals who assess what can safely be recovered and transplanted.

As a general rule, don’t rule yourself out! Register your wishes and let the experts decide later. You might be surprised at what’s possible.

And while we’re on the subject: being a donor doesn’t require perfect health. People with diabetes, cancer, hepatitis, and even HIV have been able to donate under certain circumstances. Medicine has come a long way and so has donation.

Myth #5: “My religion doesn’t support donation.”

This is a big concern for many families, and a deeply personal one. But here’s the encouraging news: the vast majority of religions do support or encourage organ and tissue donation as an act of compassion and charity.

Faith traditions including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism generally view donation as a generous gift that aligns with spiritual values. Of course, personal beliefs vary, and families may have specific questions or interpretations. That’s okay. Funeral professionals can help create space for these conversations respectfully, and without pressure.

If a family has questions about religious customs, we can also connect them with faith leaders or donor family liaisons who are experienced in navigating these nuances. Donation and religious belief are not mutually exclusive. They can, and often do, go hand in hand.

A Unified Mission: Honoring the Gift

As funeral directors, embalmers, arrangers, and caregivers, our role is often that of a guide. We walk with families through some of the most difficult and emotional days of their lives. When a family has chosen for their loved one to be a donor, or when the donor’s decision has been recorded in Donate Life California’s registry, we have the profound responsibility to support that legacy.

It’s a shared mission: recovery agencies and funeral professionals both want to honor the donor with dignity, while caring for the emotional needs of those left behind. That doesn’t mean there won’t be bumps in the road because timing, communication, and logistics can be tricky. But every challenge is an opportunity for collaboration, not conflict.

Strong partnerships between funeral homes and recovery liaisons make all the difference. When we work as a team by sharing information, respecting timelines, and keeping the family’s wishes front and center, everyone wins. Most importantly, the donor’s final act of generosity is fulfilled in the most honorable way possible.

What Can Funeral Professionals Do?

So what’s our role in busting these myths and building bridges? Here are a few practical steps:

• Educate families: Share accurate information about donation, including open-casket viability and cost concerns. Don’t assume people know the facts.

• Ask and listen: If donation comes up during an arrangement, take time to understand the family’s feelings and concerns. Provide reassurance when appropriate, and connect them to experts if needed.

• Build relationships: Know your local recovery agencies and funeral liaisons. A good working relationship now can save a lot of stress later.

• Be flexible and solution-oriented: Timing issues and delays can happen. Approach them with a spirit of cooperation rather than frustration.

• Celebrate the gift: Consider ways to honor donors during services—through words, symbols, or small tributes. Families often find comfort in knowing their loved one helped others live.

In Closing: A Pink Dot, A Big Legacy

Every donor leaves behind a powerful legacy: one that saves lives, restores sight, and gives hope to people who may never know their name. And as the final caretakers of that donor’s journey, funeral professionals have a unique and sacred role.

On behalf of the California Funeral Directors Association, we affirm our commitment to honoring the donor’s wishes and supporting the families who walk through our doors. We believe in working hand-in-hand with recovery professionals to make donation a smooth, respectful, and meaningful part of end-of-life care.

Let’s keep busting myths. Let’s keep educating our communities. And above all, let’s keep serving with compassion, dignity, and unity.

Because in the end, it’s not just about what someone leaves behind. It’s about the lives they touch on the way out and the good they inspire in all of us. For more information on organ, eye, and tissue donation, visit Donate Life California: donatelifecalifornia.org

California Funeral Directors Association

Committed to Compassion. Dedicated to Excellence.