(Image courtesy of Jim Thring via Unsplash)
The Law Society has today published the first of three reports under its burial, cremation andnew funerary methods project.
You can find the report here (all 392 pages) along with a summary document – https://lawcom.gov.uk/project/burial-and-cremation/ – it covers the laws involved with burial and cremation.
The main part of the report deals with updating and tidying up burial law, which is long overdue, and their recommendations seek to address the shortage of burial space in the UK in a sensitive way.
They also look at issues to do with cremation law, and propose updates that will finally resolve the problem of pacemaker disposal and address the question of what funeral directors can do with uncollected cremated remains.
The recommendations are comprehensive, thoughtful and positive, and will be generally welcomed by everyone working in the sector.
The next report (looking into new funerary methods) will be published later this year, with the final report into rights and obligations relating to funerary methods, funerals and remains available at the end of 2027. A draft Bill will be ready by mid-2028.
