Practically, only three methods have been used from the earliest times: burial, embalming and cremation. Burial is the earliest and most primitive method. In Britain, it was customary to bury the bodies of the dead in consecrated ground around churches until the early 19th century, when the unsanitary state of churchyards led to legislation for their better control. Burials in Britain may take place after production of a certificate from a registrar of deaths, to whom notice of the death, accompanied by a medical certificate, must be given without delay by the nearest relatives.
While Christian or humanist burial may take place at the family's convenience, Jewish and Islamic burials are normally required within 24 hours. Recently there has been an increase in ‘green’ burials, often in designated woodland sites and involving biodegradable coffins.
When a death occurs at sea, the captain of the ship has authority to permit burial at sea. If, however, there are any doubts about the cause of death, the captain may decide to preserve the body and refer the case to the relevant authorities at the next port of call.
consists of removing internal organs through small openings, and filling the body cavities with various aromatics of antiseptic power, the skin being swathed in bandages or otherwise protected from the action of the air. Bodies are also preserved by injecting the blood vessels with strong antiseptics such as perchloride of mercury.
accounts for around 75 per cent of disposals in the UK, as land for burials is scarce. The process of incineration takes 1–2 hours. Something in the range of 2·3 to 3·2 kg (5–7 lbs) of ash result from the combustion of the body, and there is no admixture with that from the fuel.
Cremation of a body means that it is almost impossible to conduct any meaningful forensic tests should any subsequent doubts be raised about the cause of death. So, before cremation can take place, two doctors have to sign appropriate forms. The first is usually the doctor who was caring for the patient at the time of death – an important exception being cases of sudden death, when the coroner holds an inquest into the cause and authorises the necessary approval for cremation. When the coroner is not involved, the second doctor must have been qualified for five years; he or she must be unconnected with the patient's care and not linked professionally with the first doctor. Before signing the cremation certificate the second doctor must conduct an external examination of the dead person and discuss the circumstances of death with the first doctor. The two cremation forms are then inspected by a medical referee who must be satisfied that the cause of death has definitely been ascertained. Bereaved families have a right to view the documents before cremation and, should they have concerns, to bring these to the attention of the medical referee or coroner.