Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether the Government plans to bring forward legislative proposals on the reuse of graves in England and Wales.

As set out in our response on 23 June (UIN 16007), the reuse of burial space is a sensitive issue and any changes need careful consideration. We have not made a recent estimate of the number of cemeteries that do not have capacity for new graves, but we continue to work closely with stakeholders to build a national picture and welcome any information from burial providers about the circumstances in their area.

In addition, the Law Commission, as part of its programme of law reform, will be considering the modernising and streamlining the law governing the disposal of human remains, with a view to putting forward a legal framework for the future. Further information on the project can be found at https://www.lawcom.gov.uk/project/a-modern-framework-for-disposing-of-the-dead/