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Funeral homes

Thank you for everything you do to serve our community. You play a critical role in supporting the families of donors as they say goodbye to their loved one.

Reimbursement Requests

We recognize donation can require extra resources, and LifeGift will continue to be responsible for those costs that are above the standard. LifeGift will continue to work with you so that no donation-related fees are passed on to the family. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us by phone at 1-800-633-6562.

Download reimbursement form

Embalming Guidance

These guidelines are to be used as a reference tool and should not be considered the only effective method of embalming an organ and tissue donor. The embalmer should use his or her judgment to analyze and choose the best method to ensure proper preservation based on the donor’s condition.

Download guide

Resources and FAQs

Referring to LifeGift

Referrals can be made by calling LifeGift at 1-800-633-6562.

Donation is an option for individuals who have not tested positive for HIV or hepatitis, and whose time of death or last known alive time is under 12 hours from the time of the referral call.

When making a donor referral, please provide the following:

  • Deceased’s name, date of birth, height and weight
  • Time of death and/or last known alive time
  • Circumstances surrounding the death and EMS involvement
  • Past medical history, if known
  • Will there be an autopsy? If so, when and where?
  • Next of kin name and phone numbers
  • A LifeGift representative will approach the family about donation and will coordinate the recovery with the pathologist and the funeral home.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 1-800-633-6562.

What should I tell the family?

It’s not necessary to mention donation to the family. A LifeGift representative will contact the family by phone to discuss tissue and eye donation opportunities and answer any questions.

If the family mentions donation, acknowledge the donation comments with language such as: “Tissue and eye donation may be an opportunity for your family. I will contact LifeGift, the donation agency, who will call you to answer your questions.”

Facts about donation

  • One tissue donor can help more than 75 recipients.
  • One eye donor can restore sight for two recipients.
  • Tissue grafts are often returned to hospitals and clinics in our local communities.
  • Tissue recovery occurs in a hospital operating room or designated recovery suite to ensure the highest quality tissue grafts for transplant.

Sample obituary copy for donor families

  • In keeping with [name]’s loving and generous spirit, it was [his/her/their] decision to donate life so that others may live.
  • [He/she/they] was known as a giving person and even in death, [his/her/their] giving continues as [his/her/their]donation of tissues will touch the lives of as many as 75 people.
  • [name] gave the gift of life through organ and tissue donation.
  • [His/Her/Their] organs have restored life’s promise for many families.
  • Honoring [his/her/their] generous wish, the gift of life was shared with many people in need through organ and tissue donation.
  • [name] gave in death as [he/she/they] gave in life; [he/she/they] was an organ and tissue donor.
  • [name]’s final act of kindness was to give the gift of life through organ and tissue donation.
  • [name] donated [his/her/their] heart valves to help other babies in need.
  • The family requests donations in [name]’s memory be directed to LifeGift, 2510 Westridge Street, Houston, TX 77054.

Sample obituary copy for recipient families

  • [name] was a [organ] recipient and a strong advocate for donation.
  • Because of the gift of a [organ] transplant, [name] was able to enjoy life with [his/her/their] family and friends.
  • [name] shared many more years of life with [his/her/their] family and friends thanks to the generosity of an organ donor.
  • [name] was an advocate for organ and tissue donation after receiving a [organ] transplant.
  • The family requests donations in [name]’s memory be directed to LifeGift, 2510 Westridge Street, Houston, TX 77054.