Home Office: Burials Entry Books

HO 85

1854-1921

Out-letters relating to the administration of the Burial Acts 1852 to 1859, burial provisions of local Acts and exhumations. The entry books also contain copies of licences for exhumation and re-interment from 1887. After 1900 the out-letters relate mainly to the administration of local Acts and to exhumations.

For records on removal of graves and tombstones see RG 37

For pre 1887 warrants for exhumation licences see HO 15

For instruments and consents of the Local Government Board and the Ministry of Health connected with the opening of new burial grounds see HLG 21

Public Record(s)

English

119 volume(s)

The Burial Acts 1852 to 1859 enpowered vestries to appoint burial boards with powers to provide new burial grounds. The special powers of the General Board of Health over burials in London were abolished in the first of the Acts. The Home Secretary was given powers to close old burial grounds and to sanction and regulate new ones, and he could also license burials in closed grounds. In 1855 three inspectors of burial grounds were appointed under the Act of that year.

The Burial Act 1900 transferred most of these functions to the Local Government Board, which was already concerned in financial aspects of the burial boards. The Home Office retained powers relating to fees for interment under local acts until 1946, when these functions were transferred to the Ministry of Health. The Home Secretary retains authority over exhumations.