12 Things to Think About Before Deciding About Organ Donation By Hal Stevens

We are, rightfully so, a species which is very much focused on living. We look at each day as a new opportunity. Our eyes are always set on tomorrow. So, the idea of the end of our lives is, of course, not one on which we want to dwell.

However, ultimately, all lives end. The death of a loved one is a difficult and painful time. Equally difficult is the thought of our own mortality. It's not something that we forward thinking people wish to consider.

Still, death doesn't necessarily have to be an end. A trying and painful time can yield some positive things. One way of making a lasting gift out of death is to consider organ donation.

This is the removal of the tissues of the human body from a person who has recently died, or from a living donor, for the purpose of transplanting. Post death, organs and tissues are removed in procedures similar to surgery, and all incisions are closed at the conclusion of the surgery.

Organ donation need not affect common funerary practices. In most cases, simple, effective steps can be taken to provide a traditional funeral and even a viewing or visitation should this be desired.

This is not just for the young. People of all ages may designate themselves to be organ and tissue donors after their death whether from an illness or an accident.

Of course, we know that donations of some organs can be made from living donors. The best example of this is kidney donation. However, overall, donations from dead donors far outweigh donations by living ones.

My purpose is to inform you about this process by clearly spelling out the process of becoming an organ donor and allow you to think of reasons why you may or may not wish to be one.

Before we begin, take a moment to consider the following questions.

1. Have I ever considered being an organ donor?

2. Am I presently a designated organ donor?

3. Does my religion or faith have any thoughts, restrictions or guidelines considering this?

4. How does my family feel about this subject?

5. If I were to be a donor, what would I want to donate?

6. Do I have any fears or concerns regarding this? If so, what?

7. What rumors or myths have I heard about this?

8. Am I aware of any close family members that are organ donors? If so, who? Am I considered the next of kin or do I have any responsibility for these people?

9. Do I know which organs and tissues can and cannot be donated?

10. Do I know anyone who is on a waiting list for an organ transplant? How has that experience affected me?

11. Have I ever discussed donation with my physician?

12. Do I know my legal rights concerning organ donation?

Organ donation is a topic which carries many opinions. It is a religious, philosophical, psychological, ethical and legal issue. The laws of different countries allow either the potential organ donor to consent or dissent to the donation during his or her life time, or allow the potential donor's relatives to consent or dissent. Due to cultural issues and different legislative possibilities, the number of donations per million people varies substantially in different countries.

Hal Stevens owns the CemeterySpot family of websites that provide products, services and resource directories related to end of life topics. Services include the CemeterySpot FREE Online Memorial Listing Service and the CemeterySpot FREE Cemetery Property Listing Service.

Hal is also the author of several critically acclaimed eBooks specifically written to help people deal with end of life issues. His eBooks include topics such as: cremation, writing and delivering a eulogy, eco-friendly green funerals, funeral planning, organ donation, and buying and selling cemetery plots.

To find out more about these free services and resources, to learn more about his books, and to get a free gift, visit http://www.cemeteryspot.com

Countless Benefits of Organ Donation By Hal Stevens

Families of individuals who decide to donate their organs often find that it helps them through their grieving process. They receive great comfort from the knowledge that something positive came from the death of their loved one.

For recipients of donated organs, organ transplants offer a second chance at life, enabling both them and their families to maintain a higher quality of life. Even the hope that there is a possible matching organ donor available can make a huge difference in the life of someone that is suffering from a serious illness.

In the United States, the waiting list is quoted to be about 96,522 people long for kidney donations, but only about one third of those patients are hopeful of ever receiving a donated organ.

Different organs have different waiting times and success rates because demand is significantly different for various organs. Alarmingly, three quarters of patients in need of an organ transplant are waiting for a kidney, and as such kidneys have much longer waiting times.

As an example, I'll point out that at the Oregon Health and Science
University, the average patient who ultimately received an organ waited only three weeks for a heart and three months for a pancreas or liver - but 476 days for a kidney, because demand for kidneys substantially outstrips supply.

All statistics indicate that there is a huge shortage of available organs of all types (including tissues) that could potentially save or drastically improve an ailing person's life.

Approaches to addressing this shortage include:

• Donor registries and "primary consent" laws, to remove the burden of the donation decision from the legal next-of-kin.

• Financial incentives for signing up to be a donor.

• A "dissent solution" (or way of "opting-out") in which a potential donor or his/her relatives must take specific action to be excluded from organ donation, rather than specific action to be included.

• Social incentive programs, wherein members sign a legal agreement to direct their organs first to other members who are on the transplant waiting list.

With increasing regularity, many hospitals employ organ network representatives who routinely screen patient records to identify potential donors in advance of their deaths. In some cases, organ-procurement representatives will request screening tests or organ-preserving drugs (such as anti-hypertension drugs) to keep potential donors' organs viable until their suitability for transplants can be determined and family consent (if needed) can be obtained.

This practice increases transplant efficiency, as potential donors who are unsuitable due to infection or other causes are removed from consideration before their deaths, and decreases the avoidable loss of organs. It may also benefit families indirectly, as the families of unsuitable donors are not approached to discuss organ donation.

It can be hard to think about what's going to happen to your body after you die, let alone donating your organs and tissue. But being an organ donor is a charitable and worthwhile decision that can be a lifesaver.

Understanding organ donation can make you feel better about your choice.

Hal Stevens owns the CemeterySpot family of websites that provide products, services and resource directories related to end of life topics. Services include the CemeterySpot FREE Online Memorial Listing Service and the CemeterySpot FREE Cemetery Property Listing Service.

Hal is also the author of several critically acclaimed eBooks specifically written to help people deal with end of life issues. His eBooks include topics such as: cremation, writing and delivering a eulogy, eco-friendly green funerals, funeral planning, organ donation, and buying and selling cemetery plots.

To find out more about these free services and resources, to learn more about his books, and to get a free gift, visit http://www.cemeteryspot.com

8 Things to Keep in Mind When Choosing a Cemetery Spot By Hal Stevens

The first step in deciding which cemetery is best for your family is considering the location. Unless you're loved one has stated that he or she wishes to be buried in a particular place, you're likely going to want to choose a cemetery that is nearby for several reasons. First of all, you will most likely wish to visit the gravesite occasionally to pay your respects to your loved one or even feel a little closer to him or her. Secondly, you will probably want to make sure that the site is being maintained properly.

In some cases, the choice of cemetery location is often made by family preference. In other cases, there may be a cemetery in your area that is deemed "better" or more prestigious than another.

Always remember that life is ever-changing. You may move to another area or your family may go through other changes that effect where and how you live. So, while choosing a nearby cemetery is immediately practical, it should not be the final deciding factor.

The most important thing is to find a cemetery in your area that will accommodate your needs and wishes and will be willing to work with you honestly and economically.

Remember that the size and price of plots can vary from one cemetery to another. While in the process of deciding on a cemetery, make a trip to that cemetery in person. Preferably an initial visit should be made without a sales representative. This will give you an opportunity to not only view available plots, but also see how existing plots are maintained, what sorts of marker options are allowed and to get a sense of the scale and overall lay-out of the cemetery.

Some cemeteries have Web sites. Many of these sites allow you to view available plots online. This can be a very handy tool. Other sites also offer maps of the cemeteries online. If so, print out a map. This will not only guide you in making your way through an unfamiliar cemetery, but gives you an chance to make notes about areas that seem desirable to you.

When choosing your burial plot's location, be sure to compare the prices of the different burial plot options. The prices of these plots may be found online or you may have been given a price list by a sales representative. If you've already met with a cemetery representative, it's still a good idea to look around on your own.

In selecting a location, here are a few things to remember:

1. A small or more "prestigious" cemetery may be more expensive and may require that you purchase your plot far in advance.

2. Practicality is more important than a great view.

3. Keep in mind the needs and abilities of family members that may wish to visit the gravesite. If an elderly spouse or friend wishes to visit the site, is the plot high on the hill the best choice?

4. If the cemetery seems run-down or in ill repair, you should probably consider an alternative?

5. Expensive doesn't equal quality.

6. Consider that your family's circumstances may change.

7. How does the cemetery feel to you? Does it feel peaceful? Does it feel cluttered or chaotic?

8. If you're choosing a plot for someone else, how would he or she feel about the location?

Look around at the cemetery as a whole. Is it well kept? Are there mausoleums? What kind are they? Is there a columbarium? Is there an urn garden? Remember, in most cases, above ground burial, cremation plots or niches are often the more economical choice.

Furthermore, as you are considering your location, also think about the rest of your family. Purchasing a plot for you in advance is an excellent way to save money. The same applies to purchasing a plot for the whole family or for a spouse.

Hal Stevens owns the CemeterySpot family of websites that provide products, services and resource directories related to end of life topics. Services include the CemeterySpot FREE Online Memorial Listing Service and the CemeterySpot FREE Cemetery Property Listing Service.

Hal is also the author of several critically acclaimed eBooks specifically written to help people deal with end of life issues. His eBooks include topics such as: cremation, writing and delivering a eulogy, eco-friendly green funerals, funeral planning, organ donation, and buying and selling cemetery plots.

To find out more about these free services and resources, to learn more about his books, and to get a free gift, visit http://www.cemeteryspot.com