Law Commission Proposes Reusing Old Graves to Address Burial Space Shortages

A public consultation is underway to update outdated burial laws in England and Wales, with potential changes requiring government approval.

The Law Commission has suggested reusing graves and reopening closed burial grounds to combat the diminishing space for burials, particularly in urban areas.
Current laws allow grave reuse only if the last burial was at least 75 years ago; the consultation is considering extending this period to 100 years.
Public consultation is critical to ensure any changes are sensitive and have public support, with families able to object to grave reuse, delaying it by 25 years.
The proposals include plans to manage uncollected ashes and potentially relax planning laws around crematoria locations.
The consultation on these changes remains open until January 2025, with the government expressing support for the Law Commission's efforts to modernize burial and cremation regulations.