They established that many factors affected the decision. It found that pro-donation opinions held by the family members, or their deceased relatives in life, did not guarantee donation. Understanding that tension which may exist for some bereaved families, between the perceived ‘sacrifice’ of organ donation and therefore the need to protect the dead body, and giving the ‘gift of life’, could be helpful to nurses in developing strategies to support bereaved family members in their decision‐making about organ donation.