Only on rare occasions is there a need to exhume a body. The process can be a very long drawn out and traumatic experience for all involved. There are several procedures, which must be followed before any exhumation can take place. The only exception to this is by order of the Coroner who can over rule this and instruct an exhumation to be carried out immediately.
Legal Aspects: Authority to Exhume
It is illegal to disturb human remains without lawful authority. By law a dead body belongs to no one and is, therefore under the protection of the public. However, ecclesiastical law also protects a body interred in 'consecrated' ground, and permission must also be sought from the Church by way of a Bishop’s Faculty before any exhumation can be considered. The cemeteries office holds information as to which sections of the cemeteries are consecrated and which are un-consecrated.
A body lying in either consecrated or un consecrated ground must also have permission form the Burial Authority, the grave owner and or any other interested party. In most cases a Home Office License will also have to be applied for and approved before exhumation can take place.
Please contact us if you require further information about exhumation.