Bold Plans to Recycle Graves Proposed to Address Burial Space Crisis in England and Wales
The Law Commission suggests reusing graves after 75 years to combat the burial space shortage in England and Wales, with public consultation ongoing until January 2025.
BollywoodFever: The burial space crisis in England and Wales has prompted the Law Commission to propose bold measures, including the possibility of reusing graves that were marked as “full” as far back as Queen Victoria’s reign. This new initiative aims to address the growing shortage of burial space, particularly in urban areas.
Under the commission’s proposal, old burial grounds could once again be available for new burials, provided that the last interment took place over 75 years ago. Each grave would be considered individually, with the public given the opportunity to voice concerns before any changes are made.
Professor Nick Hopkins of the Law Commission emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating, “Our proposals provide a significant opportunity to reform burial and cremation law and secure burial space for future generations. This must be done sensitively and with wider public support.”
Currently, transforming graveyards is legally restricted unless it’s for church expansion purposes. The proposal, if approved, could also allow redevelopment of publicly-owned cemeteries, although this would require an Act of Parliament.
Government officials, including Minister Alex Davies-Jones, have expressed support for the review, noting, “We await with interest the Law Commission’s recommendations on modern, consistent regulations for burial and cremation.”
Public consultation on these proposals will continue until January 2025, allowing people to share their views on grave reuse timelines and the rights of descendants who may object.
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