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Burials usually take place in cemeteries and churchyards but
there is nothing in UK law which prevents the burials in other
ground. Up to one body can be buried on private land, more than
that requires a licence from the home office.
Before burying a deceased person on private land you should
consider the following:
- Check there is no covenant on the land that could prohibit a
burial.
- Ensure there are no local byelaws preventing the burial -
(there are none in South Somerset).
- A record must be placed on the deeds of the land
to record the burial, this is a requirement of the Burials Act of
1864 and must include specified information. If you want, you
may be able to add a restrictive covenant to the land
deeds with instructions that the body may never be moved or exhumed
- discuss this further with your solicitor.
- Requests to move or exhume the body at a later date are made to
the Home Office and may or may not be granted.
- The site should be more than 30m from any spring or any other
body of water. It should also be 10m from any dry ditch or field
drain.
- The site should be at least 50m from any well, borehole or
spring. You can contact the Environment agency to find out if there
is one near your chosen site.
- Stay clear of water, gas and electrical services.
- There should be at least 1m of soil above the lid of the
coffin.
Further links:
The
Natural Death Centre provides independent funeral advice.
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