If your loved one is eligible to
donate…
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They have the opportunity to
transform or save the lives of others
through donation.
Your loved one may have already
made his or her wishes known by
registering as a donor.
A coordinator from the Arkansas
Regional Organ Recovery Agency
may be calling you, to discuss your
options and how you would like to
honor your loved ones’ wishes
Less than 10% of all deaths meet the
criteria to donate tissue.
Normal funeral arrangements can
still take place after organ or tissue
donation.
Because donation is truly a gift,
ARORA assumes the cost of the
donation process.
ARORA works closely with medical
examiners, coroners, police, and
prosecutors to ensure that donation
does not interfere with criminal
investigations.
One donor can potentially save or
enhance the lives of more than 100
people.
Testimonies
Paul Turner
Donor Husband
“It was the only sane thing to do during an insane
time. Diane spent her life helping children with
multiple handicaps. I know she would want to
help people during her time of death. I am
thankful for the 17 years I knew and loved Diane.
She was an amazing lady.”
What to Expect in the Next
Few Hours
Star Kemp
Donor Mother
“Without all the wonderful people at ARORA, I
can’t say what would have happened to me. You
were not only there for us when we lost Blake,
but also there for us when we lost Bradley. Thank
you all for the support that you have given and
continue to give to me and my family.”
Greg Loomis
Donor Father
“When Maclaine was born, we expected to add
one to our family. When she died at three days
old and was able to be a donor, with the support
of the ARORA staff and the friendship of other
donor families and the gratitude of her recipient
and family, we now have hundreds more that we
are honored to call family.”
This information will help guide
you through the decisions and
planning in the hours and days
ahead
General Information
Choosing a funeral home will be your first
step. After you have selected a funeral
home, notify the hospital of your choice. A
funeral director will contact you to assist
you with the details of the funeral planning.
If you are interested in a military service,
the funeral director will be able to arrange
this for you.
Contacting Family and Friends
 Contact other family members and
close friends. They will be able to
help answer phone calls and contact
others if you wish.
 Contact your church family or
clergyman (if you have one), who
may be able to assist you with
funeral arrangements.
 Contact the schools of any children
who may be affected by this loss.
 Notify the employer of your loved
one.
 Contact your attorney if you have
one, who will be able to assist you
with any legal issues.
 You may wish to contact Social
Security regarding possible benefits:
1-800-772-1213
Death Certificate
 The funeral home will assist you in
the completing of the necessary
paperwork for the death certificate.
 You may require extra copies for
Insurance and other purposes.
 The Arkansas Department of Health
issues the death certificates. Copies
can be requested at: 1-800-4620599. Ask for vital records.
Information the Funeral Home may
need
 Legal first, middle and last name
 City, State and Date of birth
 State, City, and County of death
 Hospital where death occurred
 Social Security Number
 Legal name of Surviving Spouse, if
married
 Maiden name, if applicable
 Home address
 Veteran Information: Service,
Branch, Dates of Service, Type of
discharge
 Obituary information
Tissue Donation
Over 400,000 tissue transplants are performed
each year in the United States. The need for
tissues of all types continues to increase as the
benefits of tissue transplantation are
recognized. Tissues must be recovered within
24 hours after the heart has stopped beating.
The following are examples of tissues that can
be donated and their uses.
Eyes for corneas - Sight can be restored
through cornea transplants to people who have
suffered disease, infection or trauma to their
eyes.
Heart valves - Donated heart valves are used to
replace defective, damaged or diseased valves in
children and adults, often saving the recipient’s
life. Donated heart valves will grow with the
recipient to help eliminate the need for
replacement that prosthetics often require.
Skin - Donated skin can be used to help with
burn victims, hernia repair, and surgical
reconstruction such as an abdominal or facial
trauma, as well as for corrective surgery, such as
a mastectomy.
Vein/Artery - Used for by-pass surgeries,
trauma, organ transplants and general surgery.
Bone and soft tissue - Used for reconstruction
related to trauma, tumors, degenerative diseases
and fractures, help prevent amputation,
accelerates and promotes healing. Used in spinal
fusion, dental surgery, knee, ankle, elbow, and
hip replacement.