Procedure for handling claims for the transfer of stewardship of human remains

The Council, after consultation with relevant institutions within the University, has drawn up a Procedure for handling claims for the transfer of stewardship of human remains.

In October 2005, the Department for Media, Culture and Sport published Guidance for the Care of Human Remains in Museums. This non-statutory document provides guidance, and best practice, on the care of human remains, for museums and other institutions in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, which hold human remains in permanent collections. That Guidance recommended that such institutions prepare and publish a clear process for the handling of claims for the return of human remains. The Council recognizes the need for the University, in common with institutions housing collections which include human remains, to have such a process in place. It expects all institutions in the University to follow the Procedure, which is available to download below.

• Procedure for handling claims for the transfer of stewardship of human remains (pdf)

Queries regarding the Procedure, or the Human Remains Advisory Panel, which provides advice and makes recommendations to the University Council regarding claims for the transfer of stewardship of human remains held in the University's collections, can be directed in the first instance to HRAP@admin.cam.ac.uk.