Funeral Industry News

  • Changes to Duration and Extension of Right of Burial

    6th February 2026 by

    The Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016 (Commencement No. 6 and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2024 commence sections 14 and 16 of the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016 (“the 2016 Act”), which address the duration and extension of rights of burial.   These sections will come into force on 1 March 2026.   Section 14:...

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  • Regulations For Hydrolysis Approved by The Scottish Parliament

    5th February 2026 by

    The Hydrolysis (Scotland) (No. 1) Regulations 2026 and the Hydrolysis (Scotland) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 were considered by the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee of the Scottish Parliament on 5 January. The Regulations were subsequently passed by a vote in the Scottish Parliament on 21 January 2026.   Details about what the regulations do...

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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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  • Scottish Government Introduces New Hydrolysis Regulations Under the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016

    3rd December 2025 by

    The Scottish Government laid the Hydrolysis (Scotland) (No. 1) Regulations 2026 and the Hydrolysis (Scotland) (No. 2) Regulations 2026 in the Scottish Parliament on 3 December 2025. The Regulations will enable hydrolysis to be offered as an option for people interested in alternatives to burial or cremation in Scotland.   The No. 1 Regulations focus on...

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  • Updated Chief Medical Officer advice on medical certificates of cause of death (MCCD)

    8th October 2025 by

    This blog updates our blog of 1 Nov 2022 relating to booking registrar appointments and provides an update on the transfer of medical certificates of cause of death (MCCD) to registrars which is detailed on page 7 of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) guidance to doctors completing MCCDs. The CMO guidance advises doctors that MCCDs...

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  • Funeral Sector Register Live

    1st April 2025 by

    The Funeral Sector Register is now live and can be accessed at the following website. Funeral Sector Register   Scottish Ministers encourage all burial authorities, cremation authorities and funeral directors providing funeral services in Scotland to register.   Further information about the Register is available on the website.   If you have any questions or...

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  • New Burial Application Forms Update

    27th February 2025 by

      The Burial (Applications and Register) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 and The Burial (Management) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 come into force on 1 March 2025.   We have been made aware of a few areas for improvement on the burial application forms (formatting issues, typos etc.) which we have actioned where appropriate. The updated forms have been...

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  • Burial Regulations Guidance Published and Minor Updates Made to Burial Application Forms

    17th February 2025 by

    Guidance   The Scottish Government has today (17 February) published guidance in support of The Burial (Applications and Register) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 and The Burial (Management) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 which will come into force on 1 March 2025.   Introduction – Burial Regulations: Guidance – gov.scot   This guidance aids understanding of what the regulations...

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  • Update on commencement of regulations on 1 March 2025 and associated work

    14th February 2025 by

    Update on availability of Website – Burial and Cremation (Inspection)(Scotland) Regulations 2025 The Burial and Cremation (Inspection)(Scotland) regulations will come into force on 1 March 2025. These regulations provide Inspectors with the powers to undertake inspections to ensure compliance with the relevant legislation and requirements and will incorporate a range of functions: providing a report...

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  • New Burial Application Forms Published on the Scottish Government Website

    11th February 2025 by

    The Scottish Government has published new burial application forms, made under The Burial (Applications and Register) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 (“the Applications and Register Regulations”).   These forms should be used for all applications submitted from the start of business on 1 March 2025. The new forms should not be submitted before this date. Up until the...

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