Exhuming a Deceased Body
Bereavement services can provides advice and names of exhuming specialists and grave opening services.
Contact Details:
Address: Bereavement Services
6 Bugle Street
Southampton
Postcode: SO14 2AJ
Telephone: 023 8022 8609
Email: bereavement.services.@southampton.gov.uk
Fax: 023 8033 0364
Details of service:
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 the relatives before proceeding.
Exhumation of both buried and cremated remains generally requires a Home Office licence. Exhumations occur for a number of reasons, including:
Movement from the original grave to a subsequently acquired family plot in the same or othe cemetery.
Repatriation overseas to be buried along with other family.
Transfer from one cemetry scheduled for development to another.
Court orders requiring further forensic examination.
Requirements
It is an offence to exhume any human remains without first obtaining the necessary lawful permissions. Funeral Directors can help in obtaining these.
A licence must be obtained frm the Home Office. Exhumation licences will also contain certain conditions that have to be observed.
If the person is buroed in Consecrated grounds, 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.
Ocassionally cadaver certificates are required in addition to exhumations licences.
An Environmental Health Officer must be present at the exhumation. They will supervise the event to ensure that respect for the deceased person is maintained and that public health is protected.
If the conditions of the licence cannot be met, or there are concerns about public health or decency, the exhumation may not proceed.
Last updated: 25 September 2007
