Exhumation of a body – after how many years can it be performed?

Regulations governing the procedure are specified by the Act of January 31, 1959, on Cemeteries and the Burial of the Dead, along with subsequent regulations.It is important to know that exhumation is permitted from October 16 to April 15 and is carried out in the early morning hours. Furthermore, exhumation may only be performed by a specialized funeral home with permission issued by the state district sanitary inspector, under the supervision of the local sanitary inspector, and in agreement with the cemetery management.

In which cases is exhumation of a body performed?

Exhumation is most often conducted at the request of the deceased person’s closest family in order to transfer the remains to another place of rest. Exhumation may also be performed due to the renovation of a tomb, change of the designated use of the current cemetery land, or at the request of a court, prosecutor’s office, or the Institute of National Remembrance.Exhumation requested by the family must have the consent of all its members. In disputed matters (for example, concerning grave rights), the decision is made by the court.

After how many years from burial is exhumation possible?

Exhumation is possible at any time after burial, provided that formal requirements are met. The restriction applies to persons who died of infectious diseases – in such cases, exhumation is possible only after 2 years have passed.

Exhumation procedure – who can submit an application and what are the requirements?

An application for permission to exhume may be submitted by a person entitled to bury the deceased – most often the closest family. The application is submitted to the state district sanitary inspector or the state border sanitary inspector responsible for the location of the planned exhumation. It must be submitted in person, by mail, or via the ePUAP system. If the application is not signed by all entitled persons, written statements of consent for the exhumation from those persons must be attached.

What does exhumation of a body look like?

Every exhumation, especially one carried out before the mineralization period of the body has passed, carries the risk of infection by microorganisms. Therefore, it can only be performed under proper sanitary conditions. Employees of the specialized company conducting the exhumation should use personal protective equipment, and the earth removed from the grave should be placed on a surface protected with an impermeable, durable mat.
If the body or remains are exhumed before 20 years have passed since burial, they are removed together with the coffin – such coffins are not opened but placed in a sealed metal-lined box. After 20 years, the exhumed remains along with coffin fragments are placed in a new coffin.
Exhumation carried out by qualified and properly prepared employees of BONGO International Funeral Services is always conducted with strict adherence to all sanitary regulations and respect for the dignity of the deceased.

Does the cost of exhumation after 30 years differ from the cost after 40 or 60 years?

It is difficult to clearly specify the costs of body exhumation because the price depends on several factors such as: the form of burial (urn or coffin), the condition and depth of the grave, the location from which the remains are exhumed and the new intended place, fees related to reserving a place in the cemetery, as well as the time elapsed since the burial date.

More information about exhumations carried out by BONGO can be found on our website: https://bongo.com.pl/oferta/ekshumacje/

We perform exhumations on behalf of Families and state institutions worldwide. We invite you to contact our advisors by phone at +48 22 831 00 36 or via email at biuro@bongo.com.pl.