Caden Tan Zun Hao, 16

School: Chung Cheng High School

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

Award: High Distinction, Senior Category, 2026

“Conversations about death are necessary to encourage organ donation.” How far would you agree?

“When do you think a person dies? It is when they are forgotten.” This quote by Dr Hiriluk from One Piece makes the point that a person's death is determined by their legacy, which lives on after they die. But in reality, death is a sensitive topic that many people avoid because they are doubtful and uneasy. Because of this reluctance, people don't make important decisions about the end of their lives, like donating organs. An article by DonorAlliance says that one organ donor can save up to eight lives, and one tissue donor can heal and save up to seventy-five lives. Families usually say no when they are unsure of what their loved one wants. The main problem is not just a lack of donors, but also that people are not communicating openly with one another. People can make their intentions clear by having more open conversations, which makes it more likely that their organs will be donated and saves more lives.

One reason conversations about death are necessary is the lack of communication between loved ones. In many cultures, death is seen as a taboo subject that people don't want to talk about because it is linked to bad luck. Even in more open-minded families, it is not often reviewed, and it remains a sensitive subject that is rarely brought up. This makes people think that death is more often linked to fear and confusion than to a rational approach. When someone is shocked and grieving, family members may have to give their consent on the spot. However, they often do not know what their loved one wanted because they had not considered it beforehand. This makes them guess, which can make them be afraid of making the wrong choice or even lead to fights between family members. People who are grieving tend to avoid more stress and make safer choices, which leads to refusal. Because of this, many families say no to organ donation to avoid more emotional pain. Conversely, when individuals have openly communicated their preferences beforehand, families are provided with clarity and reassurance, enabling them to honour their loved one’s wishes with confidence. This helps reduce feelings of guilt and hesitation. By discussing death, individuals can approach the topic with more acceptance, leading to more people talking about organ donation and expressing their preferences in advance. Hence, conversations about death are necessary, as they play a crucial role in increasing consent rates and ensuring that more lives can be saved through organ donation.

Another reason conversations about death are necessary is that they foster a sense of legacy and meaning. When people talk about death, they are compelled to confront the reality of their own mortality, reflect on how they wish to be remembered, and consider what legacy they hope to leave behind. In many ways, an awareness of death gives shape and urgency to life itself because it reminds people that their time is limited and that their choices carry lasting significance. Without such conversations, people may come to view death as nothing more than a meaningless end and, as a result, may delay important decisions or continue living with unresolved regrets. Open discussions, however, can transform this perspective by showing that death does not only represent loss or finality. Through organ donation, a person can preserve a part of themselves in the lives of others, allowing their values of compassion, generosity, and care to endure beyond their lifetime. In this sense, organ donation offers a powerful philosophical response to mortality: although a human life must end, its impact does not. It enables individuals to transcend death symbolically by creating a legacy that continues to save and transform lives, thereby turning death from a purely tragic occurrence into a profound opportunity for meaning, continuity, and societal impact. An article from The Straits Times shows one such example. A Malaysian couple in Penang who were deeply moved to hear their late daughter Carmen Mark’s heartbeat again through a Singapore heart transplant recipient Serene Lee, who had received Carmen’s heart after Carmen died in 2015. Lee tracked down Carmen’s parents after seeing the father’s wish to hear the heartbeat again, visited them in Penang, and brought a recording made with an electronic stethoscope. The reunion was emotional for both families, who said it helped them feel Carmen was still present through the lives she saved from organ donation. Thus, it is important to talk about death because it helps people to feel that they have a legacy and a purpose.

Some people may argue that talking about death is not necessary or even wrong because it can be upsetting and delicate for some cultures. Talking about such topics could make people uncomfortable or hurt relationships because family members might consider it rude. But not talking about it does not make them go away; it just puts them off until you are mentally prepared. Families are forced to make important decisions about organ donation without any prior communication, which often leads to hesitation or refusal. Because they were not sure or did not want to, lives that could have been saved were lost. You do not have to talk about these topics right away; you can take your time and be polite. Knowing the right time and place to discuss death is crucial, as choosing to donate one’s own organs for the sake of someone else is a tough decision, even for loved ones. Dedicating time for this discussion is needed. Moreover, when approached with sensitivity and respect, discussions about death can help prepare people and their loved ones emotionally and help them make informed choices. Hence, while these conversations are uncomfortable, they are necessary to ensure clarity, reduce regret and increase the likelihood of organ donation.

In conclusion, people avoid talking about death because it makes them uncomfortable and is sensitive to different cultures. Nonetheless, it is very important to do so. Not communicating with loved ones can lead to confusion, emotional pain and missed opportunities to donate organs, as shown. Open, respectful conversations help people to make better choices and can help their families understand and feel better during difficult times. Such discussions do get people thinking about their legacy, transforming death from a tragic event into an opportunity to save and improve lives. Ultimately, by facing the topic of death, rather than avoiding it, society can close the gap between intention and action by talking about death instead of avoiding it. This will save more lives through organ donation and make sure that a person's impact lasts even after they die. In this way, death is no longer the end of a person's life; it is the beginning of their ability to give life to others.

References

1.    https://www.donoralliance.org/newsroom/donation-essentials/how-many-lives-can-one-organ-donor-save-impact-of-organ-donation/ (opens in new tab)

2.    https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/recording-of-dead-daughters-heartbeat-brings-parents-to-tears (opens in new tab)

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)