Can I Relocate My Loved One’s Grave? Well, one of the hardest parts of losing a loved one is saying goodbye. We tend to assume that the funeral is the end and that once someone is buried, they will stay in that place forever. This is not always the case. While some graves may be intended as permanent, others are purchased for a set duration (75-99 years is common), and there are also other reasons why a site may not be suitable after time. Read on to find out more.
Can a Body Be Moved to Another Grave?
The word ‘exhuming’ is often associated with bodies being recovered from graves due to legal reasons. However, there is a considerable amount of families that exhume their relatives for various other reasons. Moving a body to a different grave is possible, and the Ministry of Justice receive over 100 requests to do so every month. Families wishing to have a body or ashes moved must request permission from the Ministry of Justice. Licenses are often granted only if the circumstances warrant it.
Once the exhumation has occurred, the plot will remain in the name of the plot holder (or their next of kin), which means it could be used for another burial without purchasing another plot. However, they will need to pay for the new burial site.
Exhumation and Re-burial – The Cost Involved
- While an exhumation license does not cost money, the associated exhumation costs can be considerable. These include the following:
- Removal of the plaque or gravestone
- Exhumation charges and cemetery fees
- Funeral charges (director, new coffin etc.) – Average funeral/burial costs in the Uk are between £1,500-£4,000.
Reasons for Moving a Grave
Moving a deceased relative can be a tough decision, but there are reasons why family members may wish to do so.
Move closer – Internal migration within the UK is continually increasing, particularly due to the cost of living crisis driving families to more affordable areas. Moving a loved one’s grave can simply be to have them closer.
Nicer plot – Sometimes, the cemetery will change, the ground will move, or the site may deteriorate. Many families choose to move their loved one’s burial sites to a more desirable part of the cemetery or a different, nicer cemetery.
Join a partner – Many people wish to be buried with a loved one, and moving a body to share a grave with a partner is also common.
Whatever the reason, re-burials and funerals require planning.
Contact Funeral Map for help with funeral planning.
