A new review of burial provision across London has highlighted growing pressure on the capital’s cemeteries, with more than half of London’s local authorities expected to exhaust their available burial space within the next 15 years.
The findings have prompted the Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities (FBCA) to call for a more coordinated, long-term approach to how London provides burial space for future generations.
The issue is particularly important in a city where available land is limited and burial remains an important choice for many families. For some faith communities, burial rather than cremation is also a religious requirement.
What could London do about the shortage?
There is unlikely to be one simple solution. The FBCA has suggested that London will need to consider a combination of measures, including extending existing cemeteries, developing new burial sites, making greater use of woodland and natural burial, working across borough boundaries and, where appropriate, responsibly reusing older graves.
Grave reuse can understandably sound alarming when first mentioned. However, it is not simply a case of reopening recent graves.
London burial authorities already have certain legal powers to reuse older graves, subject to strict conditions. Earlier this year, the Law Commission also recommended reforms that could allow graves more than 100 years old to be reused more widely across England and Wales, with additional safeguards and consultation requirements.
Keeping burial accessible to London families
The concern isn’t simply whether London can physically find enough space.
The FBCA has stressed that burial provision should remain accessible and affordable, rather than families increasingly having to travel further away from their communities to find an available grave.
This is particularly relevant in London, where the availability of burial space varies considerably between boroughs.
For families arranging a funeral, however, there is no suggestion that burial is about to disappear as an option. The current discussion is about ensuring that sufficient provision is planned now so that families continue to have meaningful choices in the years ahead.
At Harrison Funeral Home, we believe families should be able to understand all of the options available to them when arranging a funeral. Our team can talk you through burial, cremation and other funeral choices, including the practical considerations involved, without pressure or obligation.