Supporting Donor Families
The Gift of Donation
Our Enduring Gratitude
Thank you for choosing to honor your loved one’s legacy through organ and tissue donation. Your loved one’s gift brings hope, healing, and renewed life to others. We are deeply grateful that, at a time of great personal loss, you were able to think of others in need.
Click on the dropdowns below for more information.
Continuing Support for Donor Families
Our connection with your family does not end after donation.
Gift of Life will continue to support you in the weeks, months, and years ahead, offering resources, opportunities to honor your loved one, and a compassionate team you can always reach out to.
Keepsake Letter: You will receive a letter approximately 10 days after your loved one’s donation, sharing the outcome and guidance on writing to recipients.
Recognition Display: If requested by your family, the Donor Recognition Display will arrive shortly after donation.
Grief Counseling & Follow-Up: Our counselors provide an array of grief support services at no cost. These include regular check-ins, short-term counseling, support groups and a private Facebook group just for donor families.
Honoring Your Loved Ones
We recognize the profound generosity behind the decision to donate, and we are committed to honoring your loved one’s life and legacy. Gift of Life offers several meaningful ways for families to remember and celebrate their loved one:
- Legacies of Love Memorial Tribute
- Our online memorial tribute provides a dedicated space to share photos, stories, and memories of your loved one. Their legacy of healing and hope is preserved and celebrated.
- Life & Legacy Ceremony
- Each year, Gift of Life invites donor families to the Life & Legacy Celebration—an event that pays tribute to donors through music, photographs, reflections, and the presentation of the Gift of Life Donor Medal. You will receive an invitation the year following your loved one’s passing.
- Additional Opportunities to Honor and Connect
- Gift of Life also offers other ways for families to stay connected and supported, including:
- Writing to transplant recipients
- Donor Family Facebook community
- Hearts of Gold monthly support group
- This group of donor families meets monthly, primarily via Zoom, for support and presentations on topics related to grief and organ and tissue donation.
- Gift of Life also offers other ways for families to stay connected and supported, including:
Sample Obituary Language
Many families choose to acknowledge their loved one’s generous act of donation as part of their lasting legacy. You are welcome to adapt this wording in any way that feels right for your family:
“In death, [he/she/they] continued [his/her/their] legacy of kindness and compassion by giving the gift of life through organ and tissue donation. [Name]’s generosity has given hope, healing, and new life to others in need, and [he/she/they] will be forever remembered for this final act of love.”
Click below to download a photo of our donor medal which you are welcome to include in your loved one’s obituary.
Expanding Your Loved One’s Legacy
If you wish to extend your loved one’s legacy of helping others, you may invite friends and family to make a tribute donation to Gift of Life Howie’s House in their memory.
This meaningful gesture supports transplant families in need of affordable lodging, meals, and a caring community during their stay in Philadelphia.
You are welcome to use or adapt the following wording:
“In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Gift of Life Howie’s House, 401 Callowhill Street, Philadelphia, PA 19123, or online at www.GiftofLifeHowiesHouse.org. Your generosity will help support transplant families in need of a home away from home during their journey.”