Death - exhumations

Exhumations occur for a number of reasons including:

• movement from the original grave to a subsequently acquired family plot in the same or other cemetery;
• repatriation overseas to be buried along with other family members;
• Reclamation of land for new graves or other civil developments;
• a court order that requires further forensic examination.

Exhumations can be arranged with the help and guidance of the Burial Authority and chosen funeral director however they can take time to arrange and can be expensive. You will require a licence from the Ministry of Justice and sometimes a faculty from the Church of England. It is an offence to exhume any human remains without first obtaining the necessary lawful permissions.

Decency and safety

Once the necessary permissions have been obtained there can be many conditions to fulfil and usually an Environmental Health Officer must be present with an officer of the Burial Authority at the exhumation to ensure that respect for the deceased person is maintained and that public health is protected. Those present will also ensure that:

• the correct grave is opened;
• the exhumation commences as early as possible in the morning to ensure maximum privacy;
• the plot is screened as appropriate for privacy;
• health and safety of all workers is maintained for example protective clothing including masks and gloves, task lights and all other necessary equipment;
• everyone present shows due respect to the deceased person and to adjoining graves;
• the nameplate on the casket corresponds to that on the licence;
• the new casket has been approved by the Environmental Health Officer;
• all human remains and all the pieces of the original coffin or casket are placed in the new casket and the new casket is properly sealed;
• the area of exhumation is properly cleared and;
• satisfactory arrangements are in place for the onward transmission of the remains.

If the conditions of the licence cannot be met, or there are public health or decency concerns, the exhumation may not proceed.