Legislative Aims

Under current legislation, only cemeteries and burial grounds owned by Councils are subject to conditions such as repair and maintenance of graves, registering and recording burials, and the right to place memorials.

If successful, the Burial Protection Bill (Private Cemetery Status Bill) would ensure private bodies such as churches would have to follow the same regulations as council-owned cemeteries.

This would ensure the protection and preservation of unmarked and mass graves, particularly those of stillborn and non-traditionally buried infants, from disturbance or development, promoting dignity, respect, and transparency in burial practices across all cemeteries in Northern Ireland.

 
Complete the consultation here.
 
This consultation will run from 12.00 on Monday 21st July 2025 and will close at 23.59 on 27th October 2025.