Exhumation is the removal of human remains from their place of interment.
The need to exhume is not a common occurrence and is only allowed in exceptional cases. However, when exhumation is required it must be done with the greatest dignity and respect and with all of the necessary legal authorisations obtained and documentation duly completed.
If you wish to remove or exhume human remains, other than cremated remains, from a District Council burial ground you need the consent of the Department of the Environment (DoE) for Northern Ireland. You can download the application here.
Consent is not needed from the DoE where the remains are interred in a cemetery owned by a Church Authority. In those circumstances you should obtain the consent of the Church Authority together with written authorisation from the Head of the Environmental Health Department. You can download that application here.
Environmental Health will also consult with the Public Health Agency.
In both cases you must notify the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Environmental Health Department and the Church (if applicable) of the date and time of the removal.
For more information contact the Environmental Health Department.
Contact Details
Environmental Health Department
Armagh City and District Council
The Palace Demesne
Armagh
BT60 4EL
Tel: 028 3752 9626
Fax: 028 3752 7184
Email: ehealth@armagh.gov.uk
