Water: Cemeteries

Defra recognises that poorly located or managed burial sites can, in some circumstances, pose a risk to water quality, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall. At the same time, we understand that burial grounds are deeply important places for families and communities, providing a lasting connection to loved ones, and any concerns about their condition or management can be understandably distressing.

The Environment Agency (EA), as a statutory consultee in the planning system, advises against locating new cemeteries in areas with highly vulnerable groundwater and seeks to prevent developments that could pose significant risks to the water environment.

Since October 2023, new cemeteries or extensions requiring planning permission must either qualify for an exemption or obtain a permit under the Environmental Permitting Regulations. These permits include conditions such as minimum distances from springs, watercourses and protected sites, helping to ensure burial sites are both respectful and environmentally safe.

Existing cemeteries established before 2023 are also expected to manage any potential risks to water quality. Where voluntary measures are not sufficient, permitting may be required. If pollution does occur, the EA will take proportionate and appropriate enforcement action, while seeking to ensure that any intervention is handled sensitively given the importance of these sites to local communities.