Guidance

Protecting groundwater when developing or expanding cemeteries during coronavirus

How to avoid causing groundwater pollution from increased burials during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

This publication was withdrawn on

This document and has been withdrawn and replaced by Protecting groundwater from human burials.

Applies to England

Documents

Details

This guidance is for local authorities or other cemetery operators to follow during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It covers avoiding groundwater pollution when proposing to:

  • develop new cemeteries
  • expand existing cemeteries

Without taking steps to mitigate the risks, increases in burials can present a risk to the environment. The Environment Agency is putting robust processes in place to protect people and the environment.

Published 1 May 2020
Last updated 23 December 2021 + show all updates
  1. Extended the withdrawal date of this guidance to 31 March 2022.

  2. Extended the withdrawal date of this guidance to 31 December 2021.

  3. We have extended the withdrawal date for this guidance from 1 April 2021 to 1 October 2021.

  4. We have extended the withdrawal date of this guidance - it will now apply until 1 April 2021.

  5. First published.