Funeral Industry News

  • COVID-19: Update on critical worker exemptions to self-isolation

    23rd December 2021 by

    Today, 23 December 2021, the Scottish Government published updated guidance on critical worker exemptions. The updated guidance, which contains important new information on self-isolation exemptions for the funeral sector, can be found here.   For more information about how the sector should apply these exemptions, please see the recent blog post setting out the sector...

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  • COVID-19 BOOSTER PROGRAMME UPDATE

    22nd September 2021 by

    From Tuesday 21 September frontline health and social care workers, including frontline funeral operatives, are able to book an appointment for a COVID-19 booster vaccine, online at NHS Inform. The booster programme is to prolong protection against severe COVID-19 illness and will run alongside the flu vaccination programme. Wherever possible, eligible people will be offered...

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  • Emergency Legislation Update

    20th July 2021 by

    The UK Coronavirus Act 2020 allows Scottish Ministers to suspend the effect of certain provisions in the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016 and the Cremation (Scotland) Regulations 2019. On 8 April 2020, the Scottish Ministers published determinations under the UK Coronavirus Act 2020, which had implications for applications for cremation and the handling of...

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  • First Minister announces further easing of restrictions from 19 July 2021.

    14th July 2021 by

    Yesterday (13 July 2021) the First Minister of Scotland announced that all of Scotland will move to a slightly modified Protection Level 0 on 19 July 2021.   The easings from 19 July 2021 which the funeral sector will wish to be aware of specifically are:   Up to 200 people will be able to...

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  • COVID-19: Funeral Guidance Updated

    25th June 2021 by

    On Tuesday 22nd June, we published a blog outlining upcoming relaxation of funeral restrictions.   We have now updated our guidance to reflect these changes:   Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for funeral services   Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for funeral directors   Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for burial and cremation authorities   A change to regulations that will...

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  • Update to Scottish Funeral Services Guidance – Singing, Chanting and Music

    9th June 2021 by

      The Scottish Government has updated its Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for funeral services with respect to singing, chanting and music in small groups from level 2.   At protection levels 0-2, a small group of singers and/or musicians can perform at the funeral service. In all cases, this is provided the appropriate mitigations and safeguards...

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  • Upcoming Changes to Protection Levels in Scottish Local Authority Areas

    1st June 2021 by

    Today (1 June) the First Minister announced forthcoming changes to the protection levels for some areas of Scotland. You can read the First Minister’s statement in full here. From 00:01 on Saturday 5 June the following changes will take place: Glasgow will move to Level 2. A group of 13 mainland authorities will remain in...

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  • COVID-19: Easing of Restrictions from 17 May

    11th May 2021 by

    The First Minister confirmed today (11 May) that most of Scotland will move into Level 2 from Monday 17 May.   There are two exceptions:   Moray is likely to remain in Level 3 due to the number of COVID-19 cases in the area Some of the Scottish island communities, which have had consistent low...

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  • Main Guidance Documents Updated – Easing of Restrictions 26 April 2021

    27th April 2021 by

    As of yesterday, 26 April, all areas of Scotland are in level 3. Up to 50 people can attend a funeral service, funeral-related commemorative event or post-funeral gathering such as a wake (in regulated venues). This is provided that the venue size and layout will permit the necessary physical distancing between households to be in...

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  • Test and Protect – Collection of Customer and Visitor Contact Details: Guidance – April 2021 update

    23rd April 2021 by

    Updated multi-sector guidance has been published (20 April) to support businesses and other establishments gather customer and visitor data, to assist with contact tracing as part of NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect system. The guidance is available here.   Burial authorities, cremation authorities and funeral directors continue to be advised to collect Test and Protect...

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