I don't want to donate my organs after my death. How can I let someone know?

If you do not wish to donate your organs and tissues after your death, the main way of expressing your opposition is to register on the national refusal register.

You can also express your refusal in writing, and leave this dated and signed document with someone close to you. If you are unable to write and sign the document yourself, two witnesses can attest that the document drawn up by a third party corresponds to your wishes.

Lastly, you can verbally communicate your objection to your next of kin, who will have to certify it to the medical team. A written record will be made of the circumstances in which you expressed your refusal.

At the time of death, before considering organ and tissue removal, the medical teams will systematically check whether the deceased person has expressed his or her opposition to organ and tissue removal during his or her lifetime. As a first step, the medical team will ask to consult the national register of refusals to find out whether the deceased is registered there.

If this is not the case, the next of kin will be asked to confirm that the deceased did not express his or her opposition in writing or verbally during his or her lifetime. In the case of an oral expression, the medical team will ask the next of kin to specify the circumstances and to sign the transcription that will be made in writing. It is therefore advisable to be as precise as possible to facilitate this transcription.