funeral-industry-news
Written 109 posts
[Updated: 30/07/2020] Funeral Service Attendance Continues To Be Limited To A Maximum Of 20 People With Physical Distancing
10th July 2020
The First Minister Nicola Surgeon has today (30 July) set out the next steps in phase 3 of Scotland’s coronavirus route map. No changes to funeral services were announced. What does this mean? We continue to advise that no more than 20 people should attend a funeral service in person. This applies to both indoor and outdoor…
Face Coverings Mandatory From 10 July
10th July 2020
Staying safe and keeping others safe by wearing face coverings* has been made mandatory from today (10 July) in shops and retail settings, and in private hire vehicles. New guidance is available, with also dedicated guidance for retail settings. This requirement applies to funeral director businesses. Please read the guidance through in full and take…
Mental Health And Well-being Support Available For Workers And Businesses Of Scotland’s Funeral Industry
1st July 2020
The coronavirus outbreak has changed daily life for all of us in Scotland. It’s had a real impact on how many of us are feeling. Below you’ll find mental health and well-being resources to support both people and businesses during and after the crisis, including for the funeral industry. Other resources are available too, however,…
Emergency PPE Supplies For Funeral Directors Available Through Our Contractor Lyreco
9th June 2020
[See this post for related information from 25 September 2020] If you are a funeral director in Scotland and are in need of emergency PPE supplies, please download and send this Excel form with the information requested in both tabs completed. Then save it and send it directly to our third-party contractor Lyreco at: scot.gov.funerals@lyreco.com Any questions about the…
Deceased Management Advisory Group’s New Guidance On Body Bags, PVC And Coffin Contents
7th May 2020
The Deceased Management Advisory Group (DMAG), which consists of representative bodies from across the funeral industry, has issued a short guidance note that echoes the Scottish Government’s position on appropriate usage of body bags when handling COVID-19 confirmed infected, or suspected, deceased. Please view this via their website here.
Social Security Scotland Update
28th April 2020
Social Security Scotland has outlined below what it is doing to try and ease the pressure for funeral directors during the coronavirus pandemic. Relaxing eligibility timescales Funeral Support Payment continues to only be available to people in Scotland, who are on certain benefits or tax credits, who had the nearest relationship to the deceased, and…
Testing For Key Workers Who Are COVID-19 Symptomatic In Scotland
26th April 2020
Access to COVID-19 testing in Scotland has been widened and that includes to funeral industry workers, if showing symptoms of COVID-19. Please see this publication from 25 April: Coronavirus (COVID-19): testing for key workers in Scotland. It sets out how tests are available. We won’t include details in this post, as the publication states it…
[Update] Six Day Death Registration Service
22nd April 2020
On 1 April our blog post advised that National Records of Scotland (NRS), working with local authorities, have now moved to a remote registration model during the current national emergency. Additionally, local authorities have now, where possible, moved to offering a [Update: 6-day registration service M-Sa, not on Sundays, and which is being kept under…
[Updated: 01/05/2020] Scottish Government £2.3 Billion Support Package
16th April 2020
The Scottish Government is going to great lengths to support businesses and is offering a package of support worth £2.3 billion for businesses, which will commit in full all the consequentials we have received from the UK Government for business support measures. Every penny the Scottish Government receives from the UK Government for this purpose…
SEPA Media Release On Its Response To COVID-19 For Industry
14th April 2020
SEPA has announced the steps they are taking in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read their media release at the link: https://media.sepa.org.uk/media-releases/2020/sepa-supports-scottish-business-adapt-to-public-health-emergency.aspx Bookmark their media announcements page to stay aware of new guidance or regulatory changes SEPA may release.