Epilogue Wills: Considering Organ and Tissue Donation in Your Estate Planning
Estelle, Registered Organ and Tissue Donor, Montreal, Quebec
Submitted by Daniel Goldgut, Epilogue Wills
Why should I consider organ donation in Estate Planning?
When it comes to planning for the future, creating a Will is usually one of the first things we think about. It's the essential document to record your wishes for dividing your assets, appointing guardians for your loved ones, and naming an executor. You can work directly with a lawyer to get this done or use an online service like Epilogue. But comprehensive estate planning goes beyond just drafting a Will. It's about considering every aspect of your legacy, which could include decisions about organ and tissue donation.
As Canadians, many of us aren't fully prepared for end-of-life decisions. Too few of us have Wills, and even fewer have thought about organ and tissue donation. What's worse, many who do want to donate have yet to make it official or talk about it with their loved ones. But don't worry, we're here to lend a hand. Keep reading to find out how to tackle these important tasks.
Why Organ and Tissue Donation Don't Belong in Your Will
First things first: let's clear up a common misconception. Organ and tissue donation aren't legally binding matters that belong in your will. When the time comes, your family will be the ones making the call, and sharing your wishes with them can make it much more likely that they'll honor your desires. It's a big step toward ensuring your wishes are respected.
Recording Your Wishes Effectively
While organ and tissue donation may not go in your will, it's essential to document your preferences in a way that's easily accessible to your loved ones. One common method is through a "Letter of Wishes." This document allows you to express your desires regarding organ and tissue donation, and potentially other wishes around funeral arrangements, burial preferences, and more. By including these details in a Letter of Wishes, you provide your family and friends with valuable guidance during a challenging time and increase the likelihood that your wishes will be honored.
Steps to Take for Organ and Tissue Donation
Now that you understand the importance of recording your organ and tissue donation preferences separately from your Will, let's explore the practical steps you can take to ensure your wishes are carried out:
1. Register Your Decision
After recording your decision somewhere, the next step is to register your organ and tissue donation preferences. The easiest way to do this is by visiting Donate Your Organs, where you can find your province and follow the simple steps to register. By officially registering your wishes, you ensure they are documented and accessible if ever the time comes.
2. Communicate with Your Loved Ones
In addition to registering your decision online with your provincial registry, it's crucial to communicate your preferences to your family and friends. Letting them know about your desire to donate organs and tissues - should you be eligible - makes it more likely that your decision will be respected and carried out. Open and honest communication ensures that everyone is on the same page and reduces the likelihood of confusion or disagreement.
Epilogue: Simplifying Estate Planning and Organ Donation
At Epilogue, we get how important it is to plan ahead. That's why we've made it easy to create your Will and other important estate planning documents. Once your Will is sorted, and all the decisions are made about who gets what and who's in charge, you can easily jot down your organ donation preferences, funeral wishes, and burial plans in a Letter of Wishes. Plus, we link out to Donate Your Organs so you can take the next step to register your wishes.
To sum it up, while organ donation isn't part of your will, it's still a big deal for your future plans. By keeping things separate and getting your wishes down on paper, you can make sure they're respected and make a real impact on others' lives. With Epilogue, you can breeze through the process and take charge of your estate planning journey with confidence.In addition to registering your wishes online, it's crucial to communicate your preferences to your family and friends. Letting them know about your desire to donate organs and tissues should you be eligible makes it more likely that your wishes will be respected and carried out. Open and honest communication ensures that everyone is on the same page and reduces the likelihood of confusion or disagreement.
Take the time to register your decision now. Join Estelle and thousands of other Canadians.
Choose to leave well so others can live well. Register to be an organ and tissue donor.
