Lim Kia Suan, Megan, 15

School: Holy Innocents' High School

Topic: Are conversations about death necessary to encourage organ donation?

A Legacy after Death

“Death is not the opposite of life, but a part of it.” – Haruki Murakami. His quote reminds us that life and death are not two opposing forces, but that death is a natural part of life. By recognising this reality, death is not a contradiction to life, but one of its natural phases, encouraging us to look beyond the emotional discomfort surrounding the topic. However, society continues to avoid this certainty. Rather than having a conversation over it, many choose to ignore this topic entirely. Within these conversations that should be taking place, include conversations not only about the loss and legacy one leaves behind, but also the hidden power to save lives through organ donation. After tragedy strikes, organ donation allows us to give our organs to others, helping others continue living and enjoying life. Hence, I largely agree that conversations about death are necessary to encourage organ donation.

First and foremost, conversations about death play a crucial role in opening the eyes of people to the reality of organ donation. Many refuse to admit it, but we fear organ donation due to the uncertainty of it, allowing fear to thrive in silence, slowly eating away at us. When people refuse to talk about death, misconceptions and myths surrounding organ donation spread unchecked. Some individuals wrongly believe that doctors may prioritise ensuring the successful transfer of organs to the recipient over giving equal care to the donor, while others fear that their bodies will be mistreated or disrespected after death, where their body is treated insensitively, leaving it severely disfigured beyond what was medically required. Such misconceptions only create unnecessary fear and distrust among people towards organ donation, discouraging them from becoming organ donors. Open and proper discussions create opportunities for these fears to be acknowledged and addressed accordingly, while also allowing for misinformation to be corrected. People will gradually be more aware that medical professionals are trained to treat the donor’s body with dignity and respect. The fear induced by the thought of organ donation will be replaced with understanding, reducing the distrust associated with organ donation. Therefore, conversations about death not only spread awareness about organ donation, but it also helps replace the fear that donors have towards it.

Furthermore, conversations about death allow individuals to view organ donation as not just a mere medical procedure, but as a final gift at the end of life. Many times, organ donation focuses solely on the aspect of death and organ retrieval, causing many to view it coldly and emotionally unsettling. However, conversations about death encourage people to look beyond the medical process, but the deeper human meaning behind it. People are able to understand how organ donation truly works, and that it is not just a medical procedure, but a personal gift to someone else. Organ donation is a final act of compassion and generosity at the end of life, where individuals leave behind a legacy capable of saving lives. Did you know that one person can collectively add 70 years of life to others? Even after death, one can continue to bring life to others, allowing them to spend time with their loved ones that they may otherwise have never had a chance to. For people suffering from organ failure, organ donation is often the difference between life and death. People will finally begin to see organ donation for what it really is: whether it is from giving someone a healthy heart, or to allow one to escape the years of painful dialysis treatment, it gives life to people, allowing people to continue writing their stories that donors can become a part of. When people finally understand the impact that organ donation can have, more individuals may be willing to register to be organ donors. For this reason, conversations about death allow individuals to recognise organ donation as not a frightening medical procedure, but a profound gift that is capable of saving and transforming lives.

In addition, conversations about death ensure that an individual’s wishes regarding organ donation are well-communicated and respected, before emotions cloud decisions. Death often arrives unexpectedly, leaving families in shambles. While being emotionally devastated, family members of the deceased are required to make difficult decisions that they may not be prepared for. Many times, there are little to no prior discussions of the deceased wishes. Thus, when family members are asked to donate their loved one’s organs, they are often left in a difficult situation. Some may refuse organ donation simply out of fear of making the ‘wrong’ decision, not wanting to dishonour the deceased’s wishes, even if the deceased had wanted otherwise, leading to missed opportunities for organ donation. This is further reflected in a Channel News Asia (CAN) article titled,” Are you sure he is dead?’: Doctors struggle with families’ lack of understanding of the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA)”, where Dr Wong Yu Lin, Director of the neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit at Tan Tock Seng Hospital shared that families “do not want organ donation and cannot accept the presumed consent provided under HOTA and feel that their loved one would not have wanted to”. She explains that this conflict arises when death is not discussed, causing families to “object to organ donation as they do not know the wishes of the deceased”. This highlights how the uncertainty of making the ‘correct’ choice often leaves families in regret, questioning their choices. However, having prior conversations about death allows the deceased’s wishes to be communicated openly, acting as a form of respect too. The clarity provided through such conversations help reduce the likelihood that organ donation is refused. During the moments of grief, families will no longer be left guessing, but will be able to honour their loved one’s decisions with a peace of mind. Families will not need to carry the weight of regret, or doubt, which gives them time to focus on grieving. With greater preparedness, families are more likely to agree to organ donation, allowing for more opportunities for lives to be saved, rather than lost due to uncertainty. Thus, I believe that conversations about death encourage higher organ donation rates, by having increased chances of consent being given for organ donation.

However, some may argue that conversations about death should be avoided entirely. Death is often viewed as a deeply unsettling topic, and many believe that discussion on it creates unnecessary psychological and emotional burden. It evokes fear among people, and as a result, many avoid such conversations altogether to protect themselves and their loved ones from this emotional burden. With organ donation being closely associated with death, many ignore this topic, rather than coming to terms with it. These conversations force individuals to confront their mortality, which creates feelings of helplessness, and vulnerability. This can unintentionally intensify the feelings of sadness and anxiety for families who are already emotionally overwhelmed.

While the argument is convincing, it fails to consider that avoiding conversations about death discourages future conversations about organ donation. Although such discussions may feel uncomfortable, avoiding them only deepens the fears and worries in people. This is especially significant in young people, as not engaging in conversations about death from young often have long term effects on their attitudes and beliefs towards organ donation. Conversations about death do not need to be traumatic. Parents can lead these discussions, ensuring that young people are given sufficient emotional support and opportunities to ask questions openly, without judgement. Introducing such conversations from a young age helps build a healthier relationship between death and organ donation. When death is viewed in a frightening manner, encouraging organ donation when they are older will be difficult, as it will be associated with fear and discomfort. This may result in young individuals avoiding organ donation completely in the future. These conversations can be done sensitively, focusing on compassion and empathy through organ donation. With early exposure, it fosters open-mindedness towards organ donation. Young people will gradually stop viewing organ donation as something daunting, but as an act of service that gives life to others. Furthermore, misconceptions and myths about organ donation can be addressed before it takes root in their minds. Over time, this fosters greater acceptance towards organ donation, encouraging young individuals to be organ donors in the future. Therefore, conversations about death with young people are necessary to encourage organ donation in the long run.

All in all, I largely agree that conversations about death are necessary to encourage organ donation. Whether it is from a young age, these conversations help reduce the fears and uncertainties surrounding organ donation, creating opportunities for hope of those fighting to stay alive. Perhaps the tragedy in life is not death itself but missing the opportunity to give others the second chance at life, if these conversations had not taken place. Death may mark the end of life, but through organ donation, it has the power to begin another.

Disclaimer: Please note that the views and opinions expressed in the essays for the Live On Festival 2026 are those of the participants and are not endorsed by the National Organ Transplant Unit (Ministry of Health).

To learn more about organ donation and organ transplantation in Singapore, please visit www.liveon.gov.sg ↗ (opens in new tab)