Bartholomew Funeral Home strives to keep community members informed and knowledgeable. Kyle Newhard, office manager, stresses the importance of being knowledgeable about organ donation so people can make informed decisions.
There are many misconceptions regarding organ donation, and Newhard strives to ensure everyone has the proper information in order to make an informed decision.
“When they’re going to be a donor, most people think when you pass away your heart, your kidneys, and your liver is gonna go to somebody and that's not always the case,” Newhard said.
Unfortunately, internal organs are not typically able to be donated unless the recipient is already known at the time of the donor’s passing, or under other special circumstances. However, other organs can be donated.
“Another thing people don't realize is that being an organ donor is a very broad-reaching term. Your skin is an organ. Your bones are organs, and more often than not, those are the things that are being donated,” Newhard said.
Donated skin is typically used to create skin grafts for burn victims; bones are typically used to create bone patches for those with bone cancer. Another thing commonly taken for donation is eyes. The cornea can be utilized to restore eyesight, and the sclera - the white portion of the eye - can be utilized for reconstructive eye surgeries.
Although these organs may not be what immediately comes to mind when thinking of organ donation, these donations can still be life-changing. The organs that are not viable for transplantation can be used for research purposes and to help educate future doctors.
Newhard emphasized funeral homes are not against organ donation, but feel people should be more informed of what an organ donation is. Funeral home employees are professionally trained and work to grant the wishes of their clients and their families.
“One thing some people say is that doing an organ donation makes the funeral home’s job significantly more difficult or that you can't be viewed if you want to have an open casket funeral,” Newhard said. “That is something we have heard in our field before, and it is in no way, shape or form going to make you unviewable for an open-casket visitation or funeral.”
When the organ donor designation is on a driver’s license, The Indiana Donor Network is automatically notified at the time of that person’s death. Without the driver’s license designation, the choice to be an organ donor remains. A person interested in organ donation should notify the hospital or their family to ensure the Indiana Donor Network is notified at the time of passing.
“Organ donation can be a great thing. We just want people to be informed about what exactly it is, what exactly that might entail, and how it is really helping people,” Newhard said. “Whatever your wants, your needs, your beliefs are, that is up to you, but we want to make sure you are able to make the most informed decision you can. As long as you think it is the right decision for you, that is what's important.”
Learn more about Bartholomew Funeral Home at bartholomewnewhard.com.
