Any request for an exhumation will be carried out if possible, ensuring that all health and safety legislation in force will not be breached
Reasons for an exhumation
An exhumation can happen for variety of reasons. These include:
- the family would like to move the remains from an original grave to subsequently acquired family plot in the same or other cemetery; or,
- the family would like to return the remains to the country that the person came from, called repatriation.
There can be legal reasons for an exhumation too, for example court order requesting an exhumation for forensic examination.
An exhumation licence must be obtained from the Ministry of Justice before an exhumation can go ahead.
How much it costs
The fees for this service are variable, please contact the cemeteries team.
Making request
For advice and support regarding the process