In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a process for preparing skin removed from a human donor, including a living human donor, and removing cellular components and forming a decellular matrix having as major components collagens and elastins while disinfecting the tissue. In other embodiments, the present invention relates to a process for treating a decellularized soft tissue by freezing the same at a plurality of decreasing temperatures at atmosphere or higher such that there is formation of ice crystals having a size greater than 2.0 and lyophilizing the soft tissue under vacuum to remove the water to less than 6% forming a porous matrix.