Factors influencing refusal by relatives of brain-dead patients to give consent for organ donation: experience at a transplant centre.

To analyse the reasons for family refusal for donating the organs of their deceased relatives, 33 families were approached and interviewed as a part of the consent process. Thirty of these refused and their reasons for refusal were documented. In 83%, the principle reason for refusal to give consent was the non-acceptance of brain death. Superstitions relating to being reborn with a missing organ (that had been donated) in 40% or that tampering with the body would not free their dead relatives from the cycle of life-death-rebirth in 26% were next most frequently voiced. A delay in funeral (23%), lack of consensus within family members (17%), fear of social criticism (10%), dissatisfaction with the hospital staff (10%) and being unaware of their deceased relatives' wishes (6%) were the other reasons cited.