Death - exhumations

We offer help and advice on exhuming a deceased body or cremated remains from any burial plot within our cemeteries.

Exhumations

Exhumations are generally rare and tend to be 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 relatives before proceeding.
Exhumation of both buried and cremated remains generally requires a Home Office Licence

Reasons

Exhumations occur for a number of reasons, including:
• Movement from the original grave to a subsequently acquired plot either within the same or to another cemetery
• Repatriation overseas to be buried along with other family
• Transfer from one cemetery scheduled for development to another or
• Court orders requiring further forensic examination.

Requirements

However, it is an offence to exhume any remains without first obtaining the lawful permissions. Funeral Directors can help in obtaining these.
• A licence must be obtained from the Home Office. Exhumation licences will also stipulate certain conditions that have to be observed.
• If the person is in Consecrated ground, permission from the church must also be obtained.
• An Environmental Health Officer must be present at the exhumation of a body to ensure that there is no threat to public health.

Eligibility
None.

Required Customer Information
None.

Service Level Agreement and Turnaround
None

More information about this service

Contact Us

Address:
Cemetery Registrar
PO Box 52
Civic Centre
Silver Street
Enfield
EN1 3XD
Map

Telephone:
0208 379 3767

Fax:
0208 379 3785

Opening Hours:
9am – 4.30pm

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