Exhumation is the
removal of human remains from their place of interment. The need to
exhume is not a common occurrence and is only allowed in
exceptional cases. However, when exhumation is required it must be
done with the greatest dignity and respect and with all of the
necessary legal licences obtained and documentation duly
completed.
Reasons why
exhumations are required
There are a number
of reasons why exhumation may be required. Recent exhumations from
the City of London Cemetery have been for the purpose of
repatriation overseas, or where it has been discovered after the
burial that the deceased wanted to be cremated.
Licences to
exhume
It is an offence
to disturb human remains (human remains include cremated remains)
without first obtaining the correct lawful permissions.
The lawful
permissions to exhume are:
A
Licence to Exhume issued by the Home Office
The Home
Office
Coroners Section –
Exhumation Applications
5th Floor,
Allington Towers
19 Allington
Street
London
SW1E 5EB
Tel 020 7035 5530
/ 5531
Home Office
website
An Ecclesiastical
Faculty
Diocesan
Registry
1 The
Sanctuary
London
SW1P 3JT
Telephone 020 7222
5381 (10.00 am to 4.00 pm on normal working days)
Fax 020 7222
7502
Faculty
Office website
Which licence to
use depends on the location of the grave, ie whether it is located
in a consecrated or non-consecrated area of the cemetery. Under
certain circumstances both of the above licences will be required
before an exhumation can take place.
How to arrange an
exhumation
The first step is
to contact us and we will advise what legal documentation is
required and what permissions need to be obtained.
Application must
normally be made by the next of kin of the deceased, or with the
written authority of the next of kin attached to the application.
The registered owner of the grave if not the next of kin must also
give written permission for the exhumation to take place. If there
is more than one registered grave owner then all owners must give
written permission.
Once all legal
documentation has been obtained, permissions given by the grave
owners, and the fee paid (an exhumation fee is provided on
application), a time and date will be set by us in liaison with the
appointed funeral director.
Use of a Funeral
Director
Regardless as to
what reason the exhumation is for, ie repatriation, reburial in a
different grave (in the same cemetery or elsewhere) or for
cremation, there is a need for a Funeral Director to be involved.
The exhumation is carried out by City of London Cemetery staff,
once exhumed the coffin / casket becomes the responsibility of the
Funeral Director. The Funeral Director is required to be in
attendance with a new coffin of sufficient size to accommodate the
original coffin removed from the grave. The body is not removed
from the original coffin. The coffin and its contents are lifted
out of the grave and placed straight into the new ‘shell’ coffin in
readiness for transportation to the final place of rest.
The above
procedure will not of course be required when the exhumation is
that of cremated remains.
The day of
exhumation
Exhumations take
place early in the morning before the cemetery is open. This is for
the sake of decency and also health and safety.
An environmental
health officer for the area (London Borough of Newham) may choose
to witness the exhumation. Should this Environmental Health Officer
decide that the removal of the coffin / casket will create a health
hazard he / she may stop the exhumation.
Exhumation may be
witnessed by a personal representative appointed by the next of kin
/ applicant.