Anatomical donation is the gift of one’s body or organs for transplantation or medical research and education.

A funeral provider can arrange for the donation of a body to science if desired.

However, when a death occurs the doctors rely on the wishes expressed by the deceased’s family, whether or not the person wanted to be a donor.

Even if the deceased had a signed card, expressing his or her wish to be a donor, the decision is still left up to the family.

Family discussion is an essential part of organ donation.