Jewish perspectives on organ donation

Please note the information below is provided for general information purposes only. Please consult a qualified, relevant authorized officer in your respective country prior to making any final decisions.

Does Judaism allow organ donation?

Concerns about organ donation after death have traditionally rested on laws concerning the handling of dead bodies and the mistaken view that bodies must be buried intact if they are to be resurrected after the Messiah comes — the traditional belief known as techiyat hameitim. While taking organs from the dead is undoubtedly fraught with delicate ethical questions, the life-saving potential of organ donation is so great that nearly all restrictions of Jewish law can be suspended.