Defining “family graves” – Re Blagdon revisited

In Re Blagdon Cemetery [2002] Fam 299, the Arches Court reviewed the circumstances under which burial in a “family grave” might be considered as an exception to the general presumption of permanence of Christian burial arising from the initial act of interment. The Court noted the long history of “family graves”, where “in a less mobile society…it was accepted practice for several members of a family to be buried in one grave”. The determination continued:

“Burials in double or treble depth graves continue to take place at the present time. They are to be encouraged. They express family unity and they are environmentally friendly in demonstrating an economical use of land for burials. Normally the burial of family members in the family grave occurs immediately following the death of the particular member of the family…” [36(vi)]. Continue reading