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The United Kingdom, UK has resorted to the reuse of old graves in an effort to solve shortage of burial space in the country.
This is coming under new recommendations put forward to manage the shortage of burial space in the United Kingdom.
This is contained in the proposed changes put forward by the Law Commission. It stated that graveyards declared “full’’ during the Victorian era could also be reopened.
The Commission had expressed worries that the urban areas across England and Wales are fast running out of burial spaces.
“There have been proposed changes to allow any burial ground to reuse graves. But only following public consultation and government approval,” the report said.
It, however, stated that safeguards would also be in place for each grave. With plots only eligible for reuse when the last person was buried at least 75 years ago.
“Another separate public consultation is considering the time frames around grave reuse. It is also considering what would happen if family members objected.
According to Commissioner for Property, Family and Trust Law, Prof. Nick Hopkins, any change would need to be tackled in consultation with the public.
He said, “Our proposals provide a significant opportunity to reform burial and cremation law. And also to secure burial space for future generations.
“This must be done sensitively and with wider public support.”
Recall that current legislation in the UK made it illegal to redevelop a graveyard for any reason other than to grow a place of worship.
“Other publicly run cemeteries can be redeveloped if the owner was granted an Act of Parliament.
According to parliamentary under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice, Alex Davies-Jones, the Government was supportive of the Law Commission’s work.
“We await with interest the Law Commission’s recommendations in due course. This is on the most appropriate framework to provide modern, consistent regulation for burial and cremation.”
“Public consultation on the proposed changes is open until January 2025,” she said.
source: Vanguard
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