Funeral Industry News

COVID-19: Easing funeral restrictions from 28 June 2021, Scotland’s Review of Physical Distancing and an Update to Scotland’s Strategic Framework

June 22, 2021 by No Comments | Category COVID-19, Guidance

Funeral restrictions

Today (22 June) The first Minister confirmed a number of important relaxations to funeral restrictions to take place from Monday 28 June. These relaxations are:

  • A change to regulations that will allow members from more than one household to carry the coffin indoors and outdoors at a funeral service and to take a cord at the graveside.
  • An update to guidance that will allow crematoriums to relay funeral services via speakers to outside areas

These relaxations will apply across all Protection Levels (0-4).

The Burial and Cremation Team will engage with the funeral sector over the coming days to ensure the forthcoming updated Scottish Government guidance takes account of the impact of these relaxations on day to day practice.

Protection Levels

The First Minister also announced that there will be no changes to the current protection levels this week.  The current levels will be maintained for the next 3 weeks with the intention, should the data allow, for the whole of Scotland to move into Level 0 on 19 July.  The First Minister’s full statement can be found here.

Review of Physical Distancing and an Update to Scotland’s Strategic Framework

In addition, The First Minister announced the publication of the Review of Physical Distancing and an Update to Scotland’s Strategic Framework.

From 19 July, physical distancing outdoors will be removed and physical distancing for indoor public areas will reduce to one metre if the data allows.

These are important documents which chart Scotland’s route through the pandemic and set out the Government’s intended next steps.


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