Exhumations: A Documentary by Video Productions USA
Updated: Aug 26
Exhumations is a 13-minute documentary produced by Video Productions New Orleans, exploring one of the most sensitive rituals found across cultures: disturbing a grave long after burial. Watch the full film below, then read on for the cultural and legal context behind it.
What the film explores
When taking a tour through Cultural Anthropology, it is common to find different visions about exhumation. The act of digging a body that was buried (exhuming) is considered sacrilegious by most civilizations that bury their dead.
There are certain circumstances in which exhumation is necessary. In criminalistics cases to determine causality. Similarly, it allows archaeologists and anthropologists to investigate human remains to better understand the evolution and history of man. In folklore and mythology, exhumation has also been frequently associated with the exercise of supernatural rites.
But in many parts of the world, other causes have been transfigured in tradition. It could be affirmed that exhumations take place mainly because many cemeteries have a limited amount of land in which to bury the dead. Once these are full, the contents of the older tombs are moved to an ossuary to accommodate more bodies. Currently, in Cuba, the exhumation takes place two years after the burial, and the relatives are notified by the cemetery.
In other places, such as Mexico, according to Article 67 of Chapter 4 of the Regulations of the General Health Law regarding sanitary control of the disposal of organs, tissues, and corpses of human beings, it dictates:
The corpses must remain in the graves, at a minimum:
I.- Six years for those over fifteen years of age at the time of their death, and
II.- Five years for those under fifteen years of age at the time of their death.
After the above deadlines, the remains will be considered arid.
In Venezuela, according to Article 39 of Chapter 5 of the Cemetery, Burial and Exhumation Regulations:
- Exhumations may be carried out before or after five years of burial.
- Exhumations after five years of burial do not require a sanitary permit.
- Exhumations before five years of burial have passed require a Health and Social Assistance permit. This permit is subject to the particular study of each case and the final destination to be given to the exhumed remains. If the permit is granted, it will specify the conditions under which the exhumation and the subsequent inhumation or incineration of the remains will be carried out.
In Spain, the legislation does not regulate the burial conditions of a corpse, nor those of its eventual exhumation, except those that may be ordered by a judge.
There are municipal and autonomous provisions that regulate some aspects, such as the deadlines and the forms for transfer. Generally, these rules (which do not have the status of Law) are based strictly on public health reasons, establishing some conditions, for example, that a family member requests it and that it is carried out after a certain time.
The regulations of each community also contemplate the possibility of an exhumation -before the established date-, for extraordinary causes, such as the transfer of all the members of the deceased's family to another community.
There is also a municipal regulation that regulates the issue of the transfer of mortal remains in the local cemetery. Said regulations specify that no mortal remains may be transferred in the 5 years following the death of the person unless otherwise provided by court order; likewise, in the event that the transfer has to take place before this stipulated time, said transfer must take place fulfilling a series of requirements:
1.- If possible, a witness representing the family must be present at the time of the exhumation. This does not mean, obviously, that the family member has to be watching how they remove the remains of their loved ones; you just have to complete the process ...
2.- A representative of the competent authority that has authorized said exhumation must be present.
3.- The transfer of the mortal remains must be done in accordance with certain sanitary conditions, in a closed and sealed container.
The word cemetery comes from the Greek term koimeterion, which means bedroom because, according to Christian belief, the bodies slept until the Day of Resurrection. Its etymological origin also suggests a resting place, and therein lies precisely one of the contradictions that are created with the practice of exhuming bodies.
The process generally involves the participation of family members, who face the "resurrection" of difficult moments in their lives with a strong emotional impact.
About this production
Exhumations was produced by Video Productions New Orleans as part of our documentary filmmaking work in Cuba. We partner with cultural organizations and nonprofits to produce short-form and feature documentaries, from concept and interviews through final cut.
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