Commentary on Sections Lair: restoration to use Section 38 – Restoration to use without extinguishment of right
107.This section enables a right-holder to allow a burial authority to restore a lair to use but retain the right of burial in that lair. This will allow a full lair which would otherwise be unsuitable for further burials to have the lair restored to use. This will allow the right-holder to bring the lair back into use while maintain his or her right in respect of the lair.
108.Subsection (2) provides that the burial authority must establish whether it would be practicable to restore that lair to use. Subsection (3) allows the burial authority to carry out excavations and exhume any remains that are in the lair if it is necessary to do so under subsection (2) to confirm if it is possible to restore the lair to use. Subsection (4) requires the burial authority to rebury any remains that have been exhumed under subsection (3) as soon possible after they have been exhumed. This process is the same as that set out as section 37.
109.Subsection (5) makes clear that any costs that the burial authority incurs in carrying out its functions under subsections (2) to (4) of this section are to be met by the right-holder. In addition, subsection (5)(b) requires the right-holder to pay any costs incurred by the burial authority in making the lair available for reuse under this section by the right-holder.