Organ and Tissue Donation
Federal and state regulations require that hospitals ask the family of a patient who has died about organ and tissue donation. If the patient has not indicated his or her wishes, then it is up to the patient's family to make the decision concerning donations. Donation procedures begin only after all efforts to save your life have been exhausted, and death has been declared.
For more information you can refer to the Organ Provider Organization LifeGift.