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Post-mortems and exhumations

Information about Lewisham public mortuary, the regional coroner and exhuming a deceased body.
Ceremonial burning

Due to the severe drought conditions and the very high risk of fire, no burning is permitted anywhere in the cemetery until further notice. This includes incense, paper money, candles, joss sticks, ceremonial items, or any other materials that require a flame or produce heat, embers or ash.

We understand that these practices can form an important part of funeral and remembrance traditions, and we are grateful for your understanding while these temporary restrictions are in place to help keep visitors, staff, memorials and the cemetery grounds safe.

Mortuary service

The service is provided to Lewisham residents by the public mortuary in Greenwich.

Coroners

​The main duty of a coroner is to enquire into sudden or unexplained deaths.

Exhuming a body

Exhumations are generally rare and tend to be traumatic for the family involved.
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