Environmental Monitoring of Cemeteries and Public Policy: Risks, Indicators, and Management Strategies

Objective: Analyze how environmental monitoring of cemeteries has been incorporated into public policies on territorial management and environmental health across contexts. Method: Systematic review in Scopus and Web of Science from 2015 to 2025, following PRISMA for identification, selection, eligibility, and inclusion. Results and Discussion: Eighteen articles were included. They report environmental risks from cemetery activities, such as necroleachate, heavy metals, and microorganisms, along with vulnerabilities linked to soil conditions and groundwater depth. Geophysical, chemical, and microbiological techniques are central for diagnosis, yet gaps remain in methodological standardization and in policy integration. Research Implications: Findings support integrated public policies anchored in environmental, social, and health indicators, with coordination across government levels. Originality/Value: Synthesizes recent evidence on cemetery monitoring and its interface with public policy, highlighting regulatory gaps and pathways for sustainable management.