Cemeteries

What is an exhumation?

'Exhumation' means to remove human remains from the ground (either a body or cremated remains).

You can exhume a body for a number of reasons:

• Moving from one grave site to another
• Sending for cremation
• Deepen an existing grave for further burials

You can download the exhumation licence application form if the ground of the grave are non-consecrated.

If the grounds are consecrated a petition to exhume the remains will need to be completed and this can be applied for from the Diocese of Merseyside.

However, in both cases, for more information about exhuming a body at St Helens or Newton-le-Willows Cemetery, please contact the Bereavement Services team for guidance.