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NEXT OF KIN DONATION PROCESS

The Next of Kin donation process is for families that have a loved one who has already passed away, and who was not already registered as a Living Donor. This process is completed by the legal next of kin of the decedent. Similar to the Living Donor process, donation acceptance is based on research requirements at the time of passing. Please note that the STAFS facility can only send the Next of Kin donation packet after the potential donor has already passed away. This process cannot be completed before this time.

If you would like to donate a loved one who has already passed away, please call our facility at 936-294-2310 so we may better assist you.

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  1. CONTACT STAFS

    Contact the STAFS facility to notify us about your family’s desire to donate a loved one.

  2. GATHER INFORMATION

    STAFS personnel will gather various biological, medical, and personal information about your loved one to determine if they are a candidate for any research projects going on at that time.

    Unlike medical schools, STAFS does not cremate the remains of the donor and return them to the Next of Kin. All skeletons are archived into the STAFS Skeletal Collection, where continued research, education, and training opportunities take place. STAFS is unable to accept donations of individuals who will be cremated upon research end.

    Please note that STAFS can only transport within 200 miles of Huntsville, TX AND within the state of Texas at no cost to the family.

    STAFS is unable to accept out of state donations at this time. Please contact us if you have any questions regarding this limitation, or if this has changed.

    STAFS is unable to accept donors that have an infectious disease, or antibiotic resistant infection. Please contact us with any questions about this requirement.

  3. NOTIFY NEXT OF KIN

    STAFS personnel will notify the next of kin if the donation can be accepted or not.

    If the donation cannot be accepted, STAFS personnel can offer some advice on other potential facilities the family could donate to.

  4. COMPLETE DONATION PACKET

    If the donation is accepted, STAFS personnel send the donation packet via email or fax to be completed by the legal next of kin.

    Please note that STAFS can only transport from a hospital, morgue, medical examiner’s office, or a funeral home. STAFS cannot cover the costs of services provided by a funeral home, morgue, medical examiner, or hospital may charge for transport and/or storage prior to STAFS’ pick up/transport.

    The donor must be kept in cold storage until STAFS personnel can transport.

    The donor should not be embalmed before being donated to STAFS.

  5. EMAIL OR FAX PACKET TO STAFS

    After completing the packet, the legal next of kin must email or fax a copy of the packet for review to STAFS personnel.

  6. SCHEDULE TRANSPORT

    STAFS personnel will confirm receiving of a completed electronic copy and will schedule transport.

  7. DEATH CERTIFICATE PROCESS

    After transport is complete, STAFS personnel start the death certificate process, as well as mail the medallion to the next of kin.

  8. VERIFICATION OF DEATH FACTS FORM

    STAFS personnel send Verification of Death Facts form to the next of kin for review/signature.

  9. COMPLETED DEATH CERTIFICATE

    STAFS personnel release the completed death certificate to the state, and notify the next of kin on where they can request/pay for copies.

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