Although this report was issued under the chairmanship of the Earl of Carlisle, his three co-members were exceptional nineteenth century social reformers, viz. [Anthony] Ashley[-Cooper], Edwin Chadwick, and T. Southwood-Smith. Additionally two general reports ‘on the Practice of Intramural Interment in the Metropolis’ and ‘on the Practice of Interments in Germany and France’ were submitted by John Sutherland, a significant provider of evidence to the main report. The thrust of the enquiry was to examine the health risks of overcrowded burial sites situated in densely populated urban areas, especially in the light of the recent cholera outbreaks. Assessment was centred in London, Liverpool and Manchester, and secondarily Taunton, Sheffield, Neath and Merthyr. One of its most important considerations was that of discontinuing burials within the Metropolis. Recommendations in the report were heeded and a series of Burial Acts were passed between 1852 and 1859 which took major strides to ameliorate conditions.