Burial on Private Land
Introduction
It is not necessary to be buried in
a churchyard or cemetery neither does the land have to be
consecrated. If there are going to be only two or three burials
then Planning Permission is not required, you don't even have to
notify the local environmental health officers. There are however
some things which should be taken into consideration:
- If it is thought that the burial will be 'prejudicial to health
or a nuisance' then the health officers can prevent it taking
place
- The Environment Agency recommends that a grave should be at
least 250 metres away from any well or borehole and a minimum of 10
metres from any standing or running water and 1.5 metres from
underground cables or pipes
- Neighbours or relatives may be offended
- The value of your property could alter
Legal Requirements
- The tear off portion of the disposal certificate, which you
obtain from the Registrar of Births and Deaths, must be returned to
them duly completed within 96 hours of the burial.
- A register showing the entry number, date of burial, names in
full, age, address, date of birth, plan reference number, and
officiating minister (if applicable) also has to be kept. Since
1986 it is permissible for this information to be stored on
computer.
Further information is
obtainable from:
The National Death Centre,
20 Heber Road,
London, NW2 6AA.
Tel: 020 8208 2853;
Fax: 020 8452 6434;
email:
rhino@dial.piex.com;
Website:
www.newciv.org/GIB/natdeath/ndhbook.html