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Written question asked by Roz Savage (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 10 April 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 April 2026. It was answered by Alex Davies-Jones (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 April 2026 on behalf of the Ministry of Justice.

Cemeteries: Regulation

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department plans to designate a national body with statutory responsibility for ensuring the adequate provision of nationwide burial sites; and what steps he is taking to ensure there are an adequate number of burial sites in the absence of such a body.

Answer

The Government does not have day-to-day operational responsibility for burial grounds, which are managed locally. There is no statutory duty on local authorities to make provision for burial, and it is a matter for each authority to allocate local resources in line with local priorities.

The Law Commission’s final report on its review of burial and cremation law was published on 18 March 2026. The report makes a number of recommendations on a future legislative framework for burial but does not propose the creation of a national body to oversee burial provision.

The Government will consider the Law Commission’s recommendations carefully and will respond in due course.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
126131
Session
2024-26
Transferred
Yes
Subjects
Cemeteries Regulation
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk