Collin County Living Well Magazine May/June 2020 | Page 29

ANATOMICAL GIFTS
AND THE IMPACT
ON FUNERAL TRIBUTES
W
By Rick Allen
In no way would I try to encourage
someone to be a donor, nor would I
discourage someone who is consider-
ing it. It is very important to realize,
however, what is being agreed upon
and how those decisions will impact
other wishes you may have. Typically,
donating corneas and certain tissue
will have minimal impact, if any, on
the ability to have viewing of a per-
son’s body. Larger organ donation,
such as heart, lungs and kidneys also
do little to impact one’s ability to view
the body, although this does create a
more difficult embalming process. You
may encounter extra cost related to
such from the funeral home
Funeral directors bring “life” to events
that are necessary as a result of a
death. While this may sound strange,
funeral directors have the knowledge
and experience to not only help a fam-
ily arrange for things they want, but
also suggest things a family might nev-
er think of doing that will add much to
a memorial service. Funeral directors
arrange for, carry out, and coordinate
a number of details the general public
never knows about. These behind-the-
scene duties mostly go unnoticed be-
cause things are present where expect-
ed, previously arranged to be carried
out, and available when needed. On
the other hand, a memorial service
without proper attention to detail will
be lacking organization, direction,
and a unique and personal tone.
e have all heard the say-
ing, “It’s better to give
than to receive.” Giving
with a generous heart
often warms the soul of
the grantor far beyond the recipient.
I cannot begin to imagine how diffi-
cult the thought process is for family
members who have lost a loved one,
and within minutes, are asked to make
a quick decision on organ/tissue do-
nation. “Giving the gift of life” sounds
like an easy decision until it involves
one of your own. I have not been in
the situation of deciding on donation,
but my brother was the recipient of a
transplanted lung and I can speak first-
hand of the joy felt by a family whose
loved one gets that second chance at
life. Although we were so happy his
long wait was over, our hearts ached
for the family who had lost someone
close to them. Their sadness was just
beginning and it is important to real-
ize they need a great deal of care and
attention.
this, oftentimes in the 11th hour, when
they want register books, service fold-
ers, a flag, an honor guard, flowers,
and a reception following their me-
morial service at their church. Unfor-
tunately, no plan to accomplish these
things is thought of until the day before
the service.
Occasionally, a person chooses to do-
nate their whole body to a school or
research facility. While the receiving
institution will file the required paper-
work with the state on behalf of the
family, they do nothing to help a fam-
ily create a meaningful and appropri-
ate tribute, nor do they help a family
find ways to say “good-bye.” This is
where family members can get stuck
in the middle. There are numerous de-
tails that must be addressed, decisions
made, and items tended to of which
a funeral director is uniquely qualified
to help. Families have come to realize
Funeral homes today must prepare for
changing needs from our client fami-
lies. The traditional, cookie-cutter funer-
al does not meet the needs of the ma-
jority of the people any longer. While
religious rites may change slightly, if at
all, numerous other aspects surround-
ing death and the many options peo-
ple demand are constantly changing.
The successful funeral home of today
listens to the needs of the consumer.
The truly exceptional funeral homes of
today anticipate those needs ahead of
the consumer and have choices and
solutions readily available to help fam-
ilies in a variety of different situations.
When you talk about your final wish-
es, if those plans include donation,
involve a funeral director in those dis-
cussions. If your funeral director does
not include service offerings for fam-
ilies who choose donation, find one
who does.
Rick Allen has been the owner of Allen Family Funeral Options for over 35 years and may be
reached at 972-596-8200, or you may visit their website at www.AFFOplano.com.
COLLIN COUNTY Living Well Magazine | MAY/JUNE 2020
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