FBCA Chief Executive Mike Birkinshaw reflects on London’s burial capacity

FBCA Chief Executive Mike Birkinshaw shares his thoughts on the latest review of London’s burial capacity and the need for a coordinated, long-term approach to future burial provision.

The latest review of London’s burial capacity should give all of us across the bereavement sector cause for serious reflection. The pressures are neither new nor evenly distributed, but the evidence reinforces the need to move from short-term responses towards coordinated, long-term planning.

As a sector, we must recognise that burial remains an essential choice for many families and, for some faith communities, a fundamental requirement. That means future provision cannot simply be viewed as a question of finding more land. We need local authorities, planners, burial authorities, independent providers and faith communities working together across traditional borough boundaries, considering responsible grave reuse and intensification where appropriate, extensions to existing cemeteries and, where necessary, suitable new provision. Above all, our approach must protect dignity, accessibility and affordability for bereaved families rather than allowing diminishing capacity to steadily reduce their choices. The direction proposed through the emerging London Plan – towards proactive, collaborative and long-term provision – is therefore one I believe the sector should welcome and actively help shape.

I do not believe there will be one solution to London’s burial-space challenge, nor should solutions simply push provision further away from the communities that need it. What we need is a broader and more imaginative conversation about how existing cemeteries, new sites, woodland and natural burial, grave reuse and cross-boundary partnerships can collectively provide resilient capacity for future generations.

The FBCA has an important role in bringing that expertise together. Our responsibility now is to ensure that burial provision is treated as essential long-term social infrastructure and planned with the same foresight, professionalism and care that we expect in every other aspect of serving the bereaved.

Mike Birkinshaw
Chief Executive
Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities