Guidance

Protecting groundwater from human burials

How to avoid causing groundwater pollution when developing cemeteries for burying human remains.

• From: Environment Agency
• Published: 1 April 2022
• Last updated: 24 July 2024 — See all updates

Applies to England

• Publication for Northern Ireland
• Publication for Scotland
• Publication for Wales

Documents

Protecting groundwater from human burials

Ref: LIT 58930

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Details

This guidance is for local councils or other cemetery operators. It sets out the Environment Agency’s approach to the regulation of cemeteries to protect the environment. It covers both new cemetery developments and existing cemeteries.

Published 1 April 2022
Last updated 24 July 2024 + show all updates

1. 24 July 2024

   Updated the 'bespoke permits' section to link to the latest fees.

2. 2 October 2023

   Updated the guide to reflect the requirements that apply from 2 October 2023.

3. 1 April 2022

   First published.