Running out of burial spaces

Currently only some burial grounds can reuse spaces after obtaining permission in their own Acts of Parliament. However, the Commission says it’s a problem in many regions which isn’t solved with case-by-case legislation. 

 

Reopening and reclaiming graves would allow burial grounds to extend their useful life. 75 years is the suggested minimum before reusing a grave, with an option for 100 years. Bereaved families could object, possibly delaying reuse for up to 25 years. Burial ground operators will need to apply for government approval in advance. A process for historic and other sensitive sites is also recommended. 

 

Other ideas include reopening churchyards closed in Victorian times so burials can take place closer to home or in other significant places. Proposals could also help make suitable arrangements for the 250,000 cases of unclaimed cremated ashes. Currently family consent is needed to scatter ashes. 

 

Burials on private land. People can legally bury bodies on their own land if they have a local authority burial licence. However, there isn’t currently provision to make sure information about burial locations is passed on when land is sold. The Commission says that in future land owners should legally have to keep and share this information. 

 

The oldest known evidence of a burial in Britain was found in a cave in South Wales during the 19th century. The remains, discovered on the Gower Peninsula, were originally thought to have been a Roman woman. However, modern studies show they belong to a young man, possibly a tribal chief, from almost 35,000 years ago. 

 

The Romans brought the tradition of funeral processions to the country in the 1st century. 

 

A 7th century Anglo Saxon burial site in Suffolk revealed the largest treasure trove in Northern Europe. 

 

Burials were moved away from residential areas because of plagues across Europe in the Middle Ages.