Preventing the lawful burial of a body

Prevention of the lawful and decent burial of a dead body is an offence under the common law of England, Wales and Northern Ireland.[1][2] Outside of homicide (to be an added count) it is quite rare.[3] It is triable by indictment and can be punished by, at maximum, life imprisonment, an unlimited fine or both.

An example of the offence, standalone, is detaining a body, for instance upon a claim for fees or a debt, refusing to deliver it to the executors for burial, or when entrusted with it for burial selling for dissection.

Burning a body instead of burying it was not illegal.[4] It is now an offence to burn a body otherwise than in an approved crematorium.[5]

Disposing of the dead body of a child with intent to conceal the birth (regardless as to when he or she died) is a different offence; that under section 60 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.[6]