Organ donation can save or transform lives. Many people want to ensure their wishes about donation are known and respected. While your will might seem like a natural place to record this decision, there are important practical reasons why it is not the most effective approach.
In this guide
Why your will is not the right place
The main problem with recording organ donation wishes in your will is timing. Wills are typically not read until days or even weeks after death, when arrangements for the funeral and estate administration begin.
Organ donation, however, is time-critical. Decisions about whether organs can be donated need to be made within hours of death. By the time your will is read, the opportunity for donation has long passed.
The NHS Organ Donor Register
The most effective way to record your organ donation decision in England is through the NHS Organ Donor Register. You can:
- Register online at www.organdonation.nhs.uk
- Call the NHS Organ Donor Line
- Register when applying for a driving licence
- Register when joining a new GP
Registration takes only a few minutes and creates a central record that healthcare teams can access quickly when needed.
The opt-out system in England
Since May 2020, England has operated an "opt-out" system (also known as "deemed consent"). Under this system, adults are generally considered to have agreed to organ donation unless:
- They have registered a decision to opt out
- They are in an excluded group (for example, under 18, lacking mental capacity, or not ordinarily resident in England)
However, even under the opt-out system, families are still consulted. If your family is unsure of your wishes, they may feel unable to support donation going ahead.
The importance of telling your family
Registering on the Organ Donor Register is important, but telling your family about your decision is equally vital. Healthcare teams will always involve families in discussions about organ donation.
If your family knows and understands your wishes, they can support the donation process with confidence. If they do not know your wishes, they may struggle to make a decision during an already difficult time.
Many families across Kent, including in Tonbridge and Sevenoaks, find that having an open conversation about organ donation helps everyone feel more prepared.
What you can choose
When registering your organ donation decision, you can specify:
- Whether you consent to donate all organs and tissues
- Whether you consent to donate only specific organs
- Whether you do not want to donate at all
Common organs that can be donated include heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and pancreas. Tissues such as corneas, heart valves, and bone can also be donated.
Tissue donation after death
Unlike organ donation, which depends on specific circumstances at death, tissue donation can often proceed many hours after death. Tissues such as corneas, skin, bone, and heart valves can be stored and used to help many people.
If you are willing to be a tissue donor, recording this on the register and telling your family is similarly important.
Body donation for medical research
Some people wish to donate their body for medical education and research. This is separate from organ donation and requires different arrangements. If you are interested, you need to contact a medical school directly to register and understand the process.
Body donation and organ donation are usually mutually exclusive - if organs are donated, the body typically cannot be accepted for research.
Practical steps to take
To ensure your organ donation wishes are known:
- Register your decision on the NHS Organ Donor Register
- Tell your family what you have decided
- Explain your reasons if helpful
- Consider mentioning your decision in a letter of wishes (alongside your will) as additional documentation
- Review and update your registration if your views change
Key takeaways
While you can mention organ donation in your will, it is not an effective way to communicate this important decision. Register on the NHS Organ Donor Register and tell your family what you have decided. This ensures your wishes can be honoured when the time comes and relieves your family of having to guess what you would have wanted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I include organ donation wishes in my will?
You can mention organ donation in your will, but it is not an effective way to communicate this decision. Wills are often read days or weeks after death, but organ donation decisions need to be made within hours. Use the NHS Organ Donor Register and tell your family instead.
How do I register as an organ donor in the UK?
You can register on the NHS Organ Donor Register online, by phone, or when registering with a GP or applying for a driving licence. Registration takes just a few minutes and records your decision centrally.
What is the opt-out organ donation law in England?
Since 2020, England has had an opt-out system meaning adults are generally considered to have agreed to organ donation unless they have registered a decision to opt out or are in an excluded group. However, families are still consulted.
Will my family be consulted about organ donation?
Yes. Even under the opt-out system, healthcare teams will always involve families in discussions about organ donation. If you have clearly recorded and communicated your wishes, this makes the conversation easier for your family.
Can I choose which organs to donate?
Yes. When registering on the NHS Organ Donor Register, you can specify which organs and tissues you are willing to donate. You might consent to donate all organs, or only specific ones.