English Heritage and the Church of England Guidance for best ...

A skeleton under study in an osteological laboratory (by permission of AOC Archaeology Group)
87
human remains in such stores, which 88 Remains from burial grounds that are still there are overwhelming circumstances
might be termed church archives of in use, still attached to a place of worship for reburial that need to be respected.
human remains (CAHRs), would
or under the control of a religious or
89 Where there are differences of opinion
simultaneously satisfy the desire for
other burial authority, or where a specific
concerning final deposition of human
remains to be returned to consecrated religious or family interest in the site is
remains, advice from third parties may
ground and at the same time, if suitable recognised (ie for Church of England
be helpful. It is suggested that one
environmental controls were in place,
sites, normally excavated under faculty),
function of the proposed standing
ensure their physical integrity and
should be returned for reburial after
national advisory committee to be set
continued availability to legitimate
scientific studies have been completed.
up jointly by English Heritage and the
researchers. Such stores would probably Exceptions may be made if there are
Church of England (paragraph 19 above)
need to be managed by committees
overwhelming scientific reasons for either
would be to be available to provide
which would include representatives of permanent retention in an approved
advice, if called upon, in such instances.
the local community, the Church and the museum store or for a longer period
The Home Office or the Church
research community. It is recommended of retention before reburial, to give
should make a decision, based on
that this possibility be further investigated. opportunities for examination by
written representations both from
researchers after production of a site
Pending the establishment of CAHRs, the
interested parties and from any
report. Other remains disinterred
following guidelines for reburial or retention
advisory bodies consulted.
because of ground disturbance should
of human remains should be followed.
normally be deposited in an approved
They are in essence a regularisation of
museum or archaeological store unless
what is in general existing practice.
16