Funeral Industry News

  • Updated Draft Funeral Director: Code of Practice

    23rd January 2023 by

    Today (23 January) an updated draft of the Funeral Director: Code of Practice was published. The updated draft Code will be key to underpinning the statutory inspection of funeral directors in Scotland. The first iteration of the draft Code was published on the Scottish Government website in June 2019. It was developed with significant input...

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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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  • 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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  • Using Outside Speakers At Crematoriums

    19th October 2020 by

    Cremation authorities are respectfully asked to discontinue using speakers outside at crematoriums for all funerals. Funeral services are restricted to a maximum of 20 people attending a funeral service to protect public health. The use of speakers to broadcast a funeral service can mean others above the maximum number are more likely to gather together...

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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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  • 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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  • Face Coverings Made Compulsory At Funeral Services

    7th August 2020 by

    We have previously stated in our funeral services guidance that funeral service attendees should seriously consider wearing a face covering, particularly if in an enclosed space. From 8 August, wearing a face covering at an indoor funeral service will no longer be advised, it will be compulsory. Everyone attending an indoor funeral service will be...

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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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  • [Updated: 30/07/2020] Funeral Service Attendance Continues To Be Limited To A Maximum Of 20 People With Physical Distancing

    10th July 2020 by

    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...

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