Disinter - Reinter Permits

Disinter/reinter permits are required to disinter or remove the remains of a deceased person from their place of interment, usually for the purpose of cremation or burial in a new location.

A cemetery will not consent to the opening of a grave site and/or removal of a body without a disinter/reinter permit from Vital Statistics.

As some viruses and diseases may remain in an active state for decades after the death of an individual, Vital Statistics will review all applications and the cause of death to ensure that restrictions are closely followed.

A grave cannot be readily disinterred when the cause of death is:

  • Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
  • African haemorrhagic fever
  • Anthrax
  • Argentinean haemorrhagic fever
  • Bolivian haemorrhagic fever
  • Hepatitis B
  • Jakob-Creutzfeldt disease
  • Lassa fever
  • Marburg virus disease
  • All forms of plague
  • Smallpox

Making an Application

The applicant must be an adult next-of-kin as defined by the Fatality Inquiries Act.  Where a next-of-kin is not available, the application may be made by another person along with a written explanation of the circumstances.

When making an application to Vital Statistics directly, the following particulars are required:

  • Full name of the person making the application

  • The relationship between the person making the application and the deceased person

  • Full return address and telephone number of the applicant

  • Signature of the person making the application

  • Date the application is being made

  • Last name of the deceased

  • Given names of the deceased, including the first and middle names (all given names must be shown)

  • Sex, indicate either male or female

  • Date of death

  • Place of death (indicate the city, town or village in Alberta where the death occurred)

  • Where the deceased is currently buried

  • Where the deceased is to be reintered

  • Reason for request

  • Upon approval of the application, where should the permit be mailed

Disinterment of a body shall not take place until an Application for Disinterment in the prescribed form, together with the Certificate of Death showing the cause of death, is given to the Director of Vital Statistics. Forms may be obtained from the Funeral Homes or the Vital Statistics office.

When the death occurred in Alberta, Vital Statistics will most often have the cause of death on record.

When the death occurred outside Alberta, it is the responsibility of the applicant to obtain the Medical Certificate of Death (cause of death) from the appropriate jurisdiction.

Additional Information

For more information or clarification on the disinter / reinter permit process, contact the Vital Statistics office.

Adult Next-of-Kin

  • Mother
  • Father
  • Son
  • Daughter
  • Brother
  • Sister
  • Common-law Spouse

This does not include in-laws.