You can make the decision at any time in your life.
For many, a good time is when you are issuing advance directives about how you want to be treated if and when there comes a time that you will not be able to make those decisions for yourself.
Remember, that making no decision leaves all of the hard choices to your loved ones at a time when they are mourning your passing. Are there any religious considerations I need to think about?
While the majority of world religions support autopsy if there is a hope that the medical knowledge will improve the lives of others in the future, we recommend that you consult your religious leader to learn how your religion interprets brain donation. What will happen to my brain and body?
Brain donation (also called post-mortem examination or autopsy) will not disfigure your body. A specially trained physician (a pathologist), who is as skilled as a surgeon in performing the procedure, removes the brain. The skin incision is at the back of the skull, so that an open casket at your funeral is possible. Cremation, other organ and whole-body donation is also possible. Since brain donation is done within hours of the time of death, we are able to work with your family and funeral home to transfer your body for immediate brain donation so that funeral services are not delayed and religious mandates are met. Your brain is then transported via courier to the New York Brain Bank, where it is processed and analyzed in order to closely examine the cellular and structural components. This basic research provides new avenues of exploration into the cause, treatment and, eventually, a cure for ET. Is there a cost for me or my family?
The cost of brain donation is free of charge. Transportation and autopsy services are arranged by us and paid for in full by the Essential Tremor Centralized Brain Repository.
What are the "green stickers" for?
The green stickers we send you are very important. They state that you are an Autopsy Candidate, and they have the calling instructions for notifying us at the time of death. They are meant to be given to your family members and doctors. You may even carry one in your wallet or purse.
