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New law book for cemetery and crematorium managers
Essential Law for Cemetery and Crematorium Managers’, published 3 June, 2021, is written for anyone involved in the management of a cemetery or crematorium in England or Wales, whether public, private or not-for-profit.
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Commissioned by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM) and authored by its company solicitor, V. Charles Ward, the 245 page ‘Essential Law’ is the first authoritative book on burial and cremation law since Davies' Law of Burial, Cremation and Exhumation (7th Edition) last appeared in 2002. But even if the 8th edition of Davies appeared tomorrow, there is still arguably room for another authoritative book on the subject, which puts academic law into a practical context. Because burial and cremation law does not exist in isolation but is part of the wider legal framework which governs all business activity in England and Wales.
There is never a ‘right time’ for publishing a new book on burial and cremation law. Certainly not when the Law Commission has announced a comprehensive review of burial and cremation law. Though, as yet, we have no indication as to when that Law Commission review is likely to be published and how long afterwards it will be before any of its recommendations translate into law. In the meantime, something is needed to fill the gap.
Since the last 2002 edition of Davies, burial and cremation law has moved on. There are the 2008 Cremation Regulations. There are new rules allowing re-use of grave space within London municipal cemeteries. There is the 2009 Coroners and Justice Act. There are medical examiners. There are the 2019 death notification regulations. And there is the case-law.
Subjects covered in ‘Essential Law’ include: the Local Authorities' Cemeteries Order 1977 (LACO); Victorian burial statutes which are still relevant today; cremation legislation; grants and transfers of burial and cremation rights; registration of deaths; cemetery regulations and byelaws; data protection; procurement of cemetery and crematorium services; competition law; land-issues; faith and equality issues; recent case-law; exhumation; cemetery closure; redevelopment of disused burial grounds. Amongst its appendices are specimen grave and memorial grants and assignments; model cemetery regulations and byelaws; and an example of a business plan.
Essential law can be purchased online for £39.00 as a paperback or £9.99 for the kindle version and the following link is provided. Retailers can access the book through Amazon’s expanded distribution network.
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B096LMV36V/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=essential+law+for+cemetery&qid=1622887019&s=books& sr=1-1
V. Charles Ward
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iccm branch secretaries, contact details
Northern: Graham Harrison Email: Graham.Harrison@durham.gov.uk T: 03000 265 606
Eastern: Tracy Lawrence Email: TLawrence@nenevalleycrematorium.co.uk T: 01933 229 660 or 07904 457 372
South East: Heather White Email: heather.white@southampton.gov.uk T: 023 8076 6405
Midlands and Mid Wales: Michael Birkinshaw Email: bereavement@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk T: 01527 62174
