Old graves could be reused as the UK runs out of space for the dead
Plots could be eligible for reuse when the last person was buried at least 75 years ago
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The UK is running out of space to bury the dead. The issue has forced a commission to recommend drastic measures in which old graves could be reused to manage the shortage of burial space.
Under the proposed changes put forward by the Law Commission, graveyards declared “full” during the Victorian era could also be reopened. The commission warned urban areas across England and Wales are fast running out of burial space.
Proposed changes would allow any burial ground to reuse graves, but only following public consultation and government approval. Safeguards would also be in place for each individual grave, with plots only eligible for reuse when the last person was buried at least 75 years ago.
Another separate public consultation is considering the timeframes around grave reuse, and what would happen if family members objected. Professor Nick Hopkins, Commissioner for Property, Family and Trust Law said any change would need to be tackled in consultation with the public.
“Our proposals provide a significant opportunity to reform burial and cremation law and secure burial space for future generations,” he said. “This must be done sensitively and with wider public support.”
Current legislation makes it illegal to redevelop a graveyard for any reason other than to be a place of worship. Other publicly run cemeteries can be redeveloped if the owner is granted an Act of Parliament.
Alex Davies-Jones, a parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Ministry of Justice, said the government was supportive of the Law Commission’s work. “We await with interest the Law Commission’s recommendations, in due course, on the most appropriate framework to provide modern, consistent regulation for burial and cremation,” she said.
Public consultation on the proposed changes is open until January 2025.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments