Funeral Industry News

  • Deadline for registering death

    10th August 2026 by

    This is a reminder that, in accordance with section 23 of the Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Scotland) Act 1965, the informant (the person registering the death) has a duty to provide the registrar with the particulars of death within 8 days. National Records of Scotland (NRS) understand that this requirement can cause anxiety...

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  • Updates to Burial and Cremation Application Forms and Registers

    4th February 2026 by

    The Scottish Government introduces Regulations, making changes to burial and cremation application forms and registers, under the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016 (“the 2016 Act”).   The Burial and Cremation (Applications and Registers) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 will come into force on 2 March 2026. The Regulations amend the Cremation (Scotland) Regulations 2019...

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  • Recruitment for Inspectors of Burial, Cremation and Funeral Directors

    17th December 2025 by

    Scottish Ministers are seeking to appoint up to three Inspectors to strengthen the regulatory framework for the funeral sector under the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016. The role involves conducting inspections, assessing compliance and promoting best practice among burial authorities, cremation authorities and funeral directors. The Scottish Parliament is currently considering the introduction of...

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  • Guidance for Storage of the deceased by Funeral Directors prior to the issue of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death

    15th August 2024 by

    The Deaths in the Community Working Group have released guidance for funeral directors outlining what to do when caring for the deceased prior to the provision of the Medical Certificate of Cause of Death (MCCD) by a registered medical practitioner. There may be a delay for a number of reasons such as public holiday long...

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  • Covid-19 Safer Workplaces Guidance updates

    27th July 2022 by

    On 26 July 2022, the Scottish Government updated the Safer workplaces and Public settings guidance in regards to Covid-19. Whilst there are no longer any legal requirements for businesses, in regards to Covid-19 mitigations, it is important we continue to take precautions in order to limit potential transmission of Covid-19 for the sake of public...

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  • Covid-19: Update to regulations and guidance

    16th March 2022 by

    Yesterday, 15 March 2022, the First Minister announced a number of important changes to coronavirus-related restrictions to take place from Monday 21 March, and indicative dates for future easings. From Monday 21 March: the legal requirement on businesses and service providers to retain customer contact details will end; the legal requirement for businesses, places of worship and...

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  • Covid-19: Regulatory changes and guidance updates

    28th January 2022 by

    On 25 January 2022, the First Minister announced further changes to the Covid-19 regulations and guidance, which impact on the funeral sector. The First Minister also announced the ‘distance aware’ scheme, more details below.   Regulatory changes From today, Friday 28th January 2022: The physical distance a person must maintain from others if they remove...

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  • Covid-19: Guidance updates and protective measures

    21st January 2022 by

    On 20 January 2022, the First Minister announced the relaxation of a number of covid protective measures from the 24th January 2022.  The Scottish Government guidance for Safer Businesses and Workplaces, Face coverings and Staying Safe guidance  have now been updated to reflect these changes. It is important to remember that some Covid-19 protective measures do...

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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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  • COVID-19: Update to protective measures and upcoming regulatory changes

    22nd December 2021 by

    On 21 December, as a consequence of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, the First Minister set out new protective measures.  These measures are considered necessary to help stem the increase in cases of COVID-19, safeguard health and protect the NHS, the emergency services and the economy while the booster programme is completed and...

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