Overview

This bill aims to improve the regulation of private burial grounds and cemeteries in England and Wales. It requires the Secretary of State to create regulations ensuring proper management, maintenance, and record-keeping for these cemeteries, addressing current gaps in oversight.

Description

The bill mandates the Secretary of State to create regulations governing private cemeteries. These regulations will cover various aspects, including:

• Management and Maintenance: Owners must ensure proper management, keep the cemetery in good repair, and only make alterations to vaults or memorials to remove dangers.
• Record Keeping: Detailed records must be maintained, including burial space allocation plans, burial registers, and records of disinterments. These records must be kept in a durable, accessible format and made available for public inspection for a reasonable fee.
• Burial Rights: The bill clarifies the process for granting burial rights, requiring owners to issue certificates and documentation to right-holders, and to notify them if burial rights are about to lapse.
• Offences: The bill introduces summary offences for breaches of regulations, with penalties set at a maximum of level 5 on the standard scale of fines. It also increases the maximum fine for removing a body from a private cemetery.
• Consultation: Before creating regulations, the Secretary of State must consult with those who might be affected.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending. The cost will likely depend on the resources allocated to the Secretary of State's department for creating and enforcing the new regulations.

Groups Affected

• Owners of private cemeteries: They will be subject to new regulations, potentially incurring costs for improved maintenance, record-keeping, and compliance.
• Individuals purchasing burial rights: They will benefit from increased regulation and better protection of their rights.
• The public: They will benefit from improved standards in private cemeteries and easier access to records.
• Local authorities: While not directly affected by the regulations, they may see a shift in responsibility for overseeing cemeteries.

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