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Death - Exhumations

Exhumations are generally rare and tend to be very traumatic for the family involved.  They can take a long time to arrange and are usually expensive.  For these reasons, it is always best to consult with all the relatives before proceeding. 

The exhumation of both buried and cremated remains requires a Home Office license or Bishop's Faculty or in some cases both.

Exhumations occur for a number of reasons, including:
 

• movement from the original grave to a subsequent acquired family plot;
• repatriation overseas to be buried along with other family members;
• transfer from one cemetery scheduled for development to another;
• on the coroner's order for further forensic examination.

Requirements

However, it is an offence to exhume any human remains without first obtaining the necessary lawful permissions.

If the interment is in unconsecrated ground, a license must be obtained from the Home Office which carries no charge.  If the person is buried in consecrated ground, permission from the church must also be obtained.  This is called a Bishop's Faculty.  A Faculty is rarely granted and a fee is payable whether it is granted or not.

If the remains are buried in consecrated ground and are to be interred in unconsecrated ground, both a Home Office license and a Bishop's Faculty are required.  The following conditions also apply:
 

• an exhumation license contains certain conditions that have to be adhered to;
• an Environmental Health Officer must be present at the exhumation of a body to ensure that there is no threat to public health;
• if the remains are being interred in another country, the Home Office will need confirmation of the approval for this from the relevant authorities;
• occasionally, cadaver certificates are required in addition to an exhumation license;

Decency and Safety

An Environmental Health Officer supervises the event to ensure that respect for the deceased is maintained and that public health is protected. The officer 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;
• the health and safety of all workers is maintained;
• everyone present shows due respect to the deceased and to the adjoining graves;
• the nameplate on the casket corresponds to that on the license;
• the new casket is approved;
• all human remains and all the pieces of casket are placed in the new casket;
• the new casket is properly sealed;
• the area of exhumation is properly disinfected;
• satisfactory arrangements are in place for the onward transmission of the remains.
• If the conditions of the license cannot be met, or there are public health or decency concerns, the exhumation may not proceed.