Law Commission Reform on burials and cremations

The Law Commission is planning to reform the burial and cremation laws in England and Wales to simplify the law and make it more cost effective. The current law as it stands is complicated to navigate, and outdated. 

The consultation paper on burial and cremation is open until 9 January 2025, and the Law Commission is looking for views on the proposals.

This is welcome news to many, given the limited availability of burial sites, including those of the Islamic faith who require burial sites to comply with their beliefs and practices.

The reform proposals include: 

• consistent regulation of burial grounds; 
• the reuse and reclamation of graves;
• re-opening closed and disused burial grounds.

Please see the Law Commission’s recording on the consultation event: Law Commission Burial and Cremation Online Consultation Event - 2 December 2024, and the consultation paper for more information.