Exhumation, removal & re-burial of Human Remains from the site of the Old Chapel, North Road, South Ockendon, on behalf of Amanda Blundel & Carmen Lyons.

Set up & method:

The initial client enquiry was for a Funeral company to exhume and re-bury Human Remains from the burial ground surrounding the Old Baptist Chapel in South Ockendon.The land was to be used for building two blocks of flats, for which, planning permission had already been issued.

The land was to be used for building two blocks of flats, for which, planning permission had already been issued. The MOJ License had also been issued prior to our involvement.It became apparent that no construction company was involved and the contractor would need to provide far more than just funeral services.

It became apparent that no construction company was involved and the contractor would need to provide far more than just funeral services.Adrian Piper of ACP Ltd

Adrian Piper of ACP Ltd were sub-contracted by RBE and brought the necessary expertise and manpower to complete the task. ACP provided the on-site H&S requirements as well as liaising with the Environmental Health Officer regarding site set-up.Once we had permission to begin work, RBE provided one executive project manager (Michael Gill) and a team of experienced operatives.

Once we had permission to begin work, RBE provided one executive project manager (Michael Gill) and a team of experienced operatives.

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Overview:

The Chapel burial ground had been in use for approximately 130 years with the last recorded burial in 1906. The exact number of burials was not recorded but was thought to be in the region of 500.However, being a poor area at the time and with many children understood to have been interred, large areas of the burial ground were unlikely to retain significant remains.

However, being a poor area at the time and with many children understood to have been interred, large areas of the burial ground were unlikely to retain significant remains. Towards the end of the project, a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey was carried out to confirm areas unsafe to dig were clear.

The initial estimate was for a works period of 20 weeks.
When it became apparent RBE would need to be involved with more than just the exhumation work the timeline was revised to open-ended, taking into account possible bad weather over the winter.

Project duration:

54 Weeks with a winter break of 12 weeks

Area cleared:

Approx. 1 Acre

Earth moved:

Approx.. 800 Tonnes

Remains removed:

Four intact lead-lined coffins & numerous disseminated remains

The total number of deceased:

Unknown

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Health & Safety:

Method Statement & Risk Assessments:

  • Core Compliance
  • CSCS ‘Green’ Cards
  • PPE
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