A campaigner has launched a petition against ‘disrespectful’ plans to reuse more graves in the UK. (Image: Getty)
The graves of war heroes around the country could be among those dug up and reused under new plans that have been slammed as “disrespectful” to the dead.
The Law Commission for England and Wales first proposed reusing existing graves in response to a shortage in burial space in October 2024, alongside plans to reopen cemeteries dating back to Victorian times.
The independent legislative review body said current laws, which don’t permit grave reuse in council-run cemeteries outside or private non- graveyards around the UK, were “unsuitable for the modern world.” Rapid urbanisation has resulted in increasingly limited burial space.
Christine Leeman, whose daughter and other family members are buried in her local cemetery in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, has launched a against the law change, describing it as a “disgraceful” prospect.
“I and many others find it utterly disgraceful to think that our loved ones might be exhumed and their remains disturbed for someone else’s burial – all under the guise of land saving,” she wrote.
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War hero graves could be among those reused to save space in England and Wales. (Image: Getty)
“Graveyards and cemeteries aren’t mere plots of land; they are sacred spaces that bear witness to the lives of those that have passed. They shouldn’t be reutilised out of convenience.”
“We must not let the remains of our loved ones be disrespected,” Ms Leeman added. “Their resting place is exactly that – their final place of rest. It must remain undisturbed.”
She added that she was “absolutely appalled” by the idea that the 124 war heroes buried in the Dewbury cemetery could be among those whose plots are listed for reuse.
“Off they went, fighting for their country. How dare the Law Commission … even think about digging these soldiers up?” she asked . “It’s not fair [and] it’s disrespectful.”
Current rules state that grave reuse is only allowed when the original burial occurred over 75 years ago. If the family of the deceased object, the grave will remain untouched for a further 25 years.
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A consultation on the reform of the “complex and outdated” burial laws closed on January 9, and the commission is analysing responses before making recommendations to the government.
The central proposals include reassessing the period elapsed between burial and grave reuse and reopening Victorian graveyards in England and Wales.
“Burial space is running out, with the situation worse in some urban areas,” the report reads. “Grave reuse has been proposed as a solution to this problem, but reform to permit the reuse of graves must include sufficient safeguards to maintain public support.”
The commission also suggests that the creation of new burial grounds would be a “lost opportunity” for the housing market, as grave reuse would free up land for new development schemes.
Alex Davies-Jones from the Ministry of Justice told the that the government was “supportive of the Law Commission’s work”.