So it can be a long wait for families as they grieve their loved ones, something the family of Joy Sesay had to adjust to.
“Her whole ethos was about helping people who were less fortunate than yourself – and being a good person,” daughter Jenny told me.
With eight children, 20 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren, Joy left behind a very large family who held memorial services while waiting for the cremation.
Although some felt they’d had closure, granddaughter AJ admitted feeling “in limbo” without a funeral.
“It’s kind of been a bit strange because it hasn’t been your usual, go to the funeral and then you deal with it,” she said.
Inquiry rates from people wanting to donate have been lower in the UK in recent years and Cardiff has seen a fall, with about 50% fewer people registering since 2020. Although 154 people still signed up in 2024.
Not everyone can donate their body to science and for those that do consider it, universities “strongly recommend” they should tell their families.