Baháʼí Views on Organ Donation and End-of-Life Care

Organ donation fits comfortably within Baháʼí teaching, distinct from the tradition’s more specific requirements around burial itself.

Does organ donation conflict with the burial requirements?

No - organ donation is generally understood as an act of charity and service to others within Baháʼí teaching, consistent with the tradition’s broader emphasis on service to humanity. It does not conflict with the requirement of burial rather than cremation.

Should individual wishes still be documented?

Yes - as with any tradition, it’s worth documenting a specific individual’s own wishes clearly, rather than assuming a single position applies universally - see our general guide to organ and tissue donation after death for the practical logistics involved regardless of faith background.

Does the one-hour burial guideline still apply if organs are donated?

Given the Baháʼí burial guideline of roughly one hour’s travel from the place of death, families considering organ donation may want to raise the practical interaction between donation logistics and burial timing directly with both the medical team and a Local Spiritual Assembly, rather than assuming how these fit together.

What should I tell my family?

Since this practical timing question doesn’t have a single, simple answer, raising it directly with a Local Spiritual Assembly and medical team in advance - rather than during an acute moment - can spare your family from having to work through it under pressure.

Add this to your Final Day Plan: your wishes on organ donation, documented alongside your burial preferences - this fits naturally into a broader Baháʼí Final Day Plan.

Specific guidance can vary - Everendium provides general guidance and encourages families to confirm specifics with their Local Spiritual Assembly.