Funeral Directors & Coroners

As part of our continuing efforts to facilitate organ and tissue donation, Lifebanc staff actively works with the 20 coroner and medical examiner offices, as well as the nearly 500 funeral homes in northeast Ohio.

We also build relationships with funeral directors and embalmers through various educational programs and in-service workshops, enabling them to facilitate the donation process. Lifebanc has initiated:

• A Post-Donor Follow-up Program
  Lifebanc personally makes hundreds of visits each year to funeral homes after they have worked with donor families.
• Reimbursement of Reasonable Costs
  Lifebanc reimburses funeral homes for reasonable costs directly incurred as a result of the donation process. Any costs related to donation are not passed on to the donor family.
• Educational Programs
  Lifebanc offers in-service and educational programs for all funeral home staff. Lifebanc can help apply for continuing education hours if the funeral home desires.
• Funeral Service Support
  Lifebanc's Coroner/Funeral Service Relations Coordinator is a resource for funeral homes with questions regarding organ and tissue procurement, recovery and post-donation care. If your funeral home offers pre-planning services, Lifebanc can provide informational material to assist the people you serve in learning about the choice of donation.
• Your Part of the Gift: A Guide for Funeral Directors and Embalmers
  This practical booklet explains general information regarding donation. It also contains suggestions for obituaries and specific embalming techniques for organ and tissue donors. Contact our Coroner/Funeral Service Relations Coordinator for a printed version of the Your Part of the Gift booklet or click here to download a copy now.
• Obituaries and Memorials
  Donor families may be unaware of the choices they have to honor the memory of their loved one. Lifebanc supports your efforts to provide grieving families with options that re-affirm their decision to donate life and personalize each funeral service.
  
  If a family wishes to have their loved one's gift of life recognized formally in the obituary, you may suggest any of the following phrases:
  • "Jane gave in death, as she gave in life. Jane was an organ and/or tissue donor."
  • "Jane was an organ and/or tissue donor."
  • "Jane's final act was to give the gift of life through organ and/or tissue donation."
  • "Jane gave the gift of life through organ and/or tissue donation."
  • The "Donate Life" logo also can be used to accompany an obituary indicating that the deceased gave the gift of life as an organ/tissue donor.
    
    
• Memorial/Tribute Contributions
  Lifebanc is appreciative of the opportunity to help families and friends honor their loved ones. Each tribute and memorial contribution is appropriately acknowledged. Please indicate the type of gift, to whom an acknowledgement should be sent, and the mailing address in a note that accompanies the gift. Financial contributions can be made online or sent through the mail. Click here for donation information.
• The Gift of Life Memorial Program
  A personalized memorial box is given to each donor family to provide a place to keep special items that families connect with their loved one. To hold, touch and remember treasured mementoes is a healthy part of adjusting to a loss. This kit is protected and a cover letter is included, which provides instructions for your staff. The contents of the box are customized for each family depending upon their wishes and may include a framed donation proclamation, a donor medal, a lock of hair, a clay imprint of a foot or hand, donation pins and bracelets, and other resources as the family wishes. Families are informed that Lifebanc will deliver the box to their chosen funeral home and to pick it up there. This box is delivered to the funeral home in one of two ways, either sent directly with the donor or hand delivered by one of the Lifebanc staff. In an attempt to be fiscally responsible, we send it with the donor whenever possible.
• Bereavement Services
  The Bereavement Department reaches out to donor families by mail and phone throughout a two-year period after the date of the donation. In addition, we offer individual grief counseling, support groups in the Lifebanc service area, the opportunity to have a quilt square and take part in our annual memorial service.

For more information on Lifebanc's Coroner and Funeral Director Program, email our Coroner/Funeral Service Relations Coordinator or call 1-888-558-LIFE (5433).