Should You Donate Your Organs Before Cremation Services?

Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation • June 13, 2022
cremation services in Morrison, IL

Tissue and organ donation has wide-reaching benefits, as those who need skin, bones, ligaments, tendons, heart valves, and more often have no other options. While organ donation is a great choice before cremation services in Morrison, IL , it’s not necessary right for everyone. Should you donate your organs or not?  

Reason to Donate Your Organs: 

Move the List - The organ donation list has over 107,000 people! By donating, you are moving the list so those people can get the help they need and so there’s more room on the list for new people that need help.  

Advance Science – Whole body donation to research is how most medical and scientific advancements are made. Your body can be used to study and treat diseases, develop new medical procedures, and educate future generations of healthcare providers.  

Find Meaning – Death is scary, but choosing to donate your organs will ensure there’s meaning in your death.  

Save Lives – It’s a fact that organ donation saves lives. Depending on your donation preferences, your organs can save up to eight different people if you choose to donate your heart, intestines, pancreas, liver, two lungs, two kidneys. If you choose to donate tissue, eyes, and other parts, your donation can improve and save the lives of even more people.  

Help People of All Ages – Everyone from newborn babies to grandparents needs organ and tissue transplants, so your donation will help people of all ages. If they’re otherwise healthy, no matter the donator’s age, their organs will be viable for donation  

 

Reason Not to Donate Your Organs:  

  1. Distrust – Many people don’t want to donate their organs because they’re worried that medical professionals won’t work as hard to save their life so the doctors can harvest their organs. They don’t trust that doctors or hospitals will look out for their best interests. 
  2. No Control Over the Recipient – In most cases, organ donors have no control over who will receive their organs or tissues. Instead, organs go to the next person on the list, no matter the donor’s preferences.  
  3. Medical Conditions – Certain diseases or conditions including HIV, heart or kidney disease, cancer, and diabetes make organ donation unsafe for the donor and the recipient.  
  4. Religion – Many religions forbid organ donation, oftentimes because they believe the body needs to be whole in order to reunite with the soul in the afterlife. The most common religions that discourage organ donation include Native Americans, Shintoists, Confucians, Roma Gypsies, and some Orthodox Jews. 
  5. Personal Beliefs – Some feel that organ donation doesn’t save lives, but instead that it only puts off the inevitable. Organ donation is your choice, so this belief is well within your right.  

 

Whether any or all of these reasons apply to you, or you’re not comfortable donating for another reason, you don’t have to do it. Simply make sure your family and loved ones are aware of and understand your feelings.  

 

Organ, tissue, and body donation are personal choices. No one can decide for you, and no choice is wrong. Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation is here to help if you wan t to learn more about body donation or Morrison, IL cremation services .

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January 19, 2026
Grief has a way of weaving itself into everyday life, often arriving quietly and lingering longer than expected. For families searching for guidance from funeral homes Morrison, IL , questions often extend beyond arrangements and into how to cope once daily routines resume. While grief looks different for everyone, simple daily practices can provide structure, comfort, and moments of calm during an otherwise overwhelming time. These small, intentional habits can help create emotional steadiness as healing begins. At Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation, we have walked alongside families long after services conclude, and we understand that grief does not follow a timeline. Our conversations often focus on gentle, realistic ways to care for emotional well-being. Coping does not mean moving on. Instead, it means learning how to carry loss with compassion for yourself. Begin Each Day with Gentle Intention Mornings can feel especially heavy when grief is present. Starting the day with intention helps set an emotional tone that feels manageable. This might mean taking a few quiet moments before the day begins to breathe deeply, reflect, or simply acknowledge how you are feeling. Naming emotions can be powerful. Saying, even silently, “Today may be hard, and that is okay,” creates space for self-compassion. Over time, this practice helps reduce pressure to feel a certain way and allows emotions to come and go naturally. Create Space for Reflection Grief often brings waves of memories. Rather than pushing them away, setting aside time for reflection can be healing. Journaling, writing letters, or spending time with meaningful keepsakes can help process emotions in a healthy way. Reflection does not need to be lengthy or structured. Even a few minutes each day can help organize thoughts and release emotional tension. This consistent outlet often brings clarity and emotional balance. Maintain Simple Routines Routine provides stability during emotional uncertainty. Simple daily tasks such as preparing meals, going for a short walk, or keeping a regular sleep schedule can help ground the mind and body. These routines are not about productivity. Instead, they remind us that life continues at a pace we can engage gently. Over time, routine offers reassurance and a sense of normalcy without diminishing the significance of loss. Practice Mindful Movement Physical movement supports emotional health. Gentle activities like stretching, walking, or light exercise encourage the body to release stress. Movement also provides a mental break, allowing emotions to settle naturally. Mindful movement focuses on presence rather than performance. Paying attention to breath and sensation helps anchor the mind in the present moment, offering brief relief from emotional heaviness. Allow Moments of Connection Grief can feel isolating, even when surrounded by others. Intentionally creating moments of connection can help counter that sense of loneliness. This might include talking with a trusted friend, sharing memories with family, or participating in a support group. Connection does not require constant conversation. Simply being with someone who listens without judgment can be profoundly comforting. These moments remind us that support exists even when words are hard to find. Give Yourself Permission to Rest Emotional exhaustion is a common part of grief. Rest is not a luxury but a necessity. Allowing yourself time to rest, whether through quiet moments, short naps, or reduced commitments, supports healing . Rest also involves setting boundaries. Saying no when energy is low protects emotional health and prevents burnout during an already challenging season. Find Comfort in Familiar Practices Familiar routines, traditions, or spiritual practices often bring comfort during grief. Whether it is music, reading, prayer, or time outdoors, these practices provide emotional grounding. Consistency matters more than complexity. Returning to what feels familiar helps create a sense of safety and continuity when everything else feels uncertain. Coping with grief is a deeply personal journey shaped by daily choices and compassionate support. Families who turn to funeral homes Morrison, IL often seek reassurance that healing can happen gradually and authentically. At Schilling Funeral Home & Cremation, we believe ongoing care matters just as much as initial guidance. We invite you to explore our grief support resources to find thoughtful tools and insights that can help you navigate each day with patience, understanding, and renewed emotional strength.
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