The Treatment of Human Remains

The treatment of human remains is one of the most emotive and complex areas of archaeological activity.  Feedback from archaeologists, parishes and clergy indicated a clear need for guidance and, in 2001, the Human Remains Working Group was convened jointly by English Heritage and the Church of England in order to address the issues.  The Working Group’s remit concerned burials from Christian contexts dating from the 7th-19th century AD in England.  This provided a coherent group of material to which a consistent theological framework could be applied in order to help inform ethical treatment and for which reasonably specific guidance might be given.

The Human Remains Working Group comprised 18 members, who looked in particular at the legal issues, theology and ethics, and scientific/technical matters.    The resulting document, Guidance for best practice for treatment of human remains excavated from Christian burial grounds in England, is a synthesis of the results of the group’s deliberations.  It aims to provide reasonably comprehensive guidelines covering treatment of human remains and associated artifacts and grave markers at all phases of an archaeological fieldwork project.  This includes decisions concerning whether remains should be retained long-term for scientific study or reburied following completion of the analysis phase of the fieldwork project.  It will be of assistance to archaeologists, local authority planning departments, museums, clergy, and church organisations such as parochial church councils, diocesan advisory committees, cathedral chapters and consistory courts.

A copy of the Guidance can be obtained here.

Go to Cathedral & Church Buildings Division main page