The United Kingdom is considering reusing old graves and reopening closed burial grounds to address the growing shortage of burial space, particularly in urban areas.
According to a Sky News report, these proposals, introduced by the Law Commission, aim to repurpose graveyards that were deemed “full” during the Victorian era.
The independent commission, which reviews laws in England and Wales, emphasized the urgency of the situation as cities nationwide face a diminishing supply of burial plots.
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Under the proposed plan, any burial ground could be reused after public consultations and government approval. Strict guidelines would ensure that graves can only be reused if the last burial occurred at least 75 years ago.
Public consultations are underway to determine the timeframes for grave reuse and how to address objections from family members. Professor Nick Hopkins, Commissioner for Property, Family, and Trust Law, stressed that these changes would require thoughtful consideration and public input.
“Our proposals offer a significant opportunity to reform burial and cremation laws, ensuring future generations have adequate burial space. This must be handled sensitively and with public support,” Hopkins stated.
Current laws prohibit the redevelopment of graveyards except when expanding or building places of worship. However, public cemeteries can be repurposed if an Act of Parliament is granted.
Alex Davies-Jones, parliamentary under-secretary at the Ministry of Justice, expressed the government’s support for the Law Commission’s efforts, stating, “We look forward to the Law Commission’s recommendations on a modern and consistent framework for burial and cremation regulation.”
The public consultation on these proposals is open until January 2025.
