Exhumation of both buried and cremated remains generally requires a licence from the Ministry of Justice.

Exhumations occur for several reasons, including:

• movement from the original grave to a subsequently acquired family plot in the same or another cemetery
• repatriation overseas to be buried along with other family
• transfer from one cemetery scheduled for development to another
• court orders requiring further forensic examination.

It is an offence to exhume any human remains without first obtaining the necessary lawful permissions. Funeral directors can help in obtaining these permissions.