Funeral Industry News

  • Regulations For Burial and Inspection Approved by The Scottish Parliament

    16th January 2025 by

    Regulations For Burial and Inspection Approved by The Scottish Parliament   The Burial (Management) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 and the Burial and Cremation (Inspection) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 were approved by the Scottish Parliament on 8 January 2025. These regulations will come into force on 1 March 2025, at the same time as: Funeral Director Code of...

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  • Funeral Sector Inspectorate and Funeral Director Licensing

    23rd May 2022 by

    We are progressing implementation of the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016 and the related regulations, codes of practice and guidance which will impact the funeral sector. Please look out for our postcard requesting you to provide us with some information about your business. Why we need your information We are setting up the Funeral...

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  • GUIDANCE TO FUNERAL DIRECTORS’ BUSINESSES, CREMATION AUTHORITIES AND BURIAL AUTHORITIES ON EXEMPTIONS FROM COVID SELF-ISOLATION

    23rd December 2021 by

    Critical workers exemption   The Scottish Government has confirmed that businesses and organisations providing vital public services and Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) industries can apply an exemption to allow critical / essential workers to volunteer to leave self-isolation and return to work, in certain limited circumstances, to allow vital services to continue.   Businesses and...

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  • Main Guidance Documents Updated In Advance Of Monday 2 November

    30th October 2020 by

    Today (30 October) we have updated our 3 main guidance documents for the funeral industry: the funeral director guidance; funeral services guidance; and burial and cremation authorities guidance. Each has been updated to account for the new system of local protection levels, which will be introduced from Monday 2 November. Scotland’s Strategic Framework sets out the...

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  • Funerals And Wakes Exempt From New Restrictions

    9th October 2020 by

    The First Minister announced on 7 October some tightening of restrictions including for bars and restaurants across Scotland. In specific areas of Scotland: Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire & Arran, Lothian and Forth Valley, those measures are even more restrictive. A funeral service, as well as a funeral reception/ wake are exempt from the...

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  • Carrying The Cords And Coffin

    7th October 2020 by

    Prior to the pandemic, family members could participate in the lowering or carrying of the coffin at the crematorium or the burial ground. They were routinely assisted and directed by funeral directors and/ or their staff, or at burial grounds, burial ground staff, in doing so. As experienced professionals, funeral directors, their staff, or the...

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  • No Changes To Funeral Service Restrictions On 20 August Review

    20th August 2020 by

    In her statement to Parliament today (20 August), the First Minister did not announce any changes to the current funeral service restrictions. Current restrictions remain in place, which includes: a maximum of 20 people allowed to attend a funeral service at both indoor/outdoor venues, with face coverings mandatory at indoor venues (with some exceptions). The...

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  • Test And Protect Now Mandatory For The Hospitality Sector

    14th August 2020 by

    The First Minister announced that from today (14 August) Test and Protect is now mandatory for all hospitality businesses. The First Minister said: “[I]t is now mandatory for hospitality businesses, including cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars to collect customer and visitor contact details… This includes [the contact details of] customers and staff but also people...

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  • Test And Protect Guidance And The Funeral Industry

    29th July 2020 by

    Scotland’s ‘Test and Protect – Multi-sector guidance on collection of customer and visitor contact details – July 2020’ was published on 14 July and came into effect on 15 July. This Test and Protect guidance applies across a number of sectors and services. This includes cremation authorities, burial authorities, places of worship and funeral director...

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  • Updates To Guidance To Align With Phase 3 Of The Route Map

    17th July 2020 by

    This week we have updated all our guidance documents to coincide with the wider changes that have come about as a result of moving further into Phase 3 of the Route Map.  Changes include the easing of restrictions on funeral service attendance from 15 July, introduction of a maximum cap of 20 attendees at funerals,...

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