ANNOUNCEMENT: Guidelines For Burial Of Human Remains On Private Property

These guidelines are intended to give directions to Environmental Health Officers in determining the suitability of a site other than a registered cemetery for burial of human remains; and to persons wanting to inter their dead on private property. These guidelines do not apply to dead human bodies interred at cemeteries.

• Proof of ownership of the property together with the application for permission to bury shall be submitted to the Ministry of Community Development.

• The property should be at least half an acre in size (21,780 sq. Ft.)

• The Environment Health Department would need a minimum of three days to visit the site and process recommendations.

• Graves should be at least 100 feet from property lines and structures, 150 feet from any body of water and should not interfere with any sewerage disposal system.

• Preparation of the burial site should not commence unless the location has been inspected and the necessary recommendations made by the Environmental Health Department.

• Holes should be a minimum of seven feet deep.

• The top of the grave should be sealed with a minimum of 4 inches of concrete.

• The areas should be easily identified and be surrounded by fence or hedge.

• Drainage should be constructed to divert water away from the grave.

• The grave should not be opened before six years has passed.

• Officers in the district need to observe burial to ensure that the client follows recommendations.

• Following the burial, a certificate will be issued to the person in charge to attest to the fact that the burial has met standards.

• The recommendations will be sent to the Ministry of Community Development however a copy can be made available to the person in charge of the remains.