Sparks Brain Preservation
A Non-profit Organization
The goal of standby is simple: to minimize the time between legal death and the start of preservation to maximize structural preservation quality.
In practice, it is a specialized service where our preservation team of two trained staff members travels to your city before your legal death is expected. They position themselves in a location so as to be able to begin the preservation procedure as soon as possible after legal death is pronounced. We cannot pronounce legal death ourselves. We communicate with hospital personnel, hospice staff, or other medical professionals who will make this determination and alert our team.
Whether to choose standby or not is a highly personal decision. It is not required to be a member or to sign up for services with Sparks Brain Preservation.
Standby may be appropriate when a medical team can provide advance notice of expected timing within a few days, sufficient funding is available for standby services, and you wish to use this funding to minimize the time between legal death and preservation.
Standby services are not necessary for Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) cases, where timing is predetermined. They are also not necessary in other situations where the timing of legal death can be highly controlled, such as when life support is withdrawn. Additionally, standby is not possible in cases where legal death occurs suddenly and unexpectedly.
Standby services involve significant expenses, and we price our standby services to cover these necessary expenses. The cost is in addition to the preservation fee. See Services.
Each Day of Standby: $2800 per day ($4200 for new members or non-members)
A Standby-Only Deployment occurs when our team deploys for standby but preservation is ultimately not needed or performed elsewhere. This possibility needs to be considered if standby is chosen. The base cost a standby-only deployment, which includes travel costs and one day of standby is the following:
Pacific Time Zone: $4600 ($6900 for new members or non-members)
Mountain Time Zone: $5300 ($7950)
Central Time Zone and Alaska: $6000 ($9000)
Eastern Time Zone and Hawaii: $6600) ($9900)
Plus $2800 per day ($4200) per additional day of standby beyond the first.
Note: Long-term members (2+ years) receive 33% off all prices, including standby.
Because of the expense of standby, we cannot deploy on a standby case without proof of funding and either a deposit covering the anticipated costs or verification of adequate life insurance naming Sparks Brain Preservation as the beneficiary. For deposits, we typically request funds to cover the base preservation cost plus a reasonable estimate of standby days based on medical assessments. Any unused funds would be refunded after services are complete. We understand this requirement may seem strict, but it ensures our organization can sustainably provide these resource-intensive services when needed.
If you’re considering standby services, early planning helps ensure the best outcome. Please contact us early, ensure that your paperwork is completed, inform your care team of your preservation wishes, and designate a contact person to communicate with us if you cannot.
How much advance notice do you need for standby?
Ideally, we would have at least 48-72 hours notice to deploy our team, though we understand this isn’t always possible. The more notice we have, the better we can prepare and ensure team availability.
What if the timeline is uncertain?
Medical timelines are rarely exact. We understand standby might last days or even more than a week. Ultimately, the decision of when to deploy standby and for how long is entirely up to you based on your available funding and personal preferences. We do not pressure anyone to use standby services, nor do we require them. We will provide honest information about timing considerations if asked, but the choice is always yours to make based on what feels right for your situation and resources.
Can standby be cancelled?
Yes, if your condition improves or plans change, standby can be cancelled. You would be responsible for costs already incurred (team deployment and days on standby).
Can I pre-pay for standby services?
Yes, we accept advance payment for all services. When pre-paying for standby, you choose how many days to fund based on your situation and available resources. This is a non-refundable commitment, as we must immediately allocate resources and staff availability when standby is requested. We recommend consulting with your medical team to estimate timing, but ultimately the amount you pre-pay for standby, if any, is your decision. Pre-paid funds not ultimately used for standby or other services will be used to support long-term storage and care of all preserved patients.
Can standby be covered by life insurance?
Yes, if you have named Sparks Brain Preservation as your life insurance beneficiary, standby costs can be covered just like other preservation services. Be sure your policy amount covers expected costs.
Where does the preservation procedure take place?
This depends on your location and circumstances. In cases near to our facility, we can bring our mobile preservation vehicle. In more distant locations, we would typically partner with a local funeral home to use their facility.
What if legal death occurs before the team arrives?
If legal death occurs before our team can deploy, we shift to our standard remote preservation protocol, arriving as quickly as possible. In most cases, the staff at a local funeral home can perform the initial steps, like transport and cooling.