Understanding organ donation
Funerals and tangihanga
Last reviewed: August 2026
Donation will not interfere with funeral arrangements, such as taking you home, to your marae or having an open casket.
Will my funeral or tangi plans need to change if I am a donor?
No. Donation does not change funeral or tangihanga plans. A specialist team removes organs and tissues with the utmost care and respect, so nothing about your plans needs to change. Your whānau or the people who would be at your bedside if you were critically ill can still take you home or to the marae.
Can we still have an open casket after organ donation?
Yes. Once your whānau agrees to donation, a specialist team will perform the organ donation surgery, using normal surgical procedures. Afterwards, your body is prepared so an open casket is still possible. Most whānau who wish to see their loved one can do so.
What about skin or tissue donation?
If you donate skin, a specialist team takes a thin layer from the back and legs, similar to a graze. It sits under clothing, so it will not show and will not affect an open casket.
How soon will my body be returned to my whānau so tangihanga can begin?
The donation team works to keep the time away from your whānau as short as possible, so you can be returned quickly and tangihanga can go ahead as planned. They will keep your whānau informed at every step, so you know what to expect.
