Funeral Industry News

  • 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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  • First Minister Sets Out Scotland’s New Strategic Framework

    23rd October 2020 by

    The First Minister today (23 October) launched Scotland’s new Strategic Framework for managing and supressing COVID-19. The framework is available here and will take effect from Monday 2 November, following a parliamentary debate and vote next week. The Strategic Framework is rooted in tackling the four harms we know the virus causes; risk to life...

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  • The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) Pandemic Response Planning Guide 2nd Edition Available Now

    20th October 2020 by

    The NAFD originally made their Pandemic Response Planning Guide available for all funeral directors back in March 2020. They have recently released the 2nd edition of the guide this October, which has again been made available to both NAFD members and non-members alike. There are a number of supporting documents to accompany the guide. These...

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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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  • 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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  • Price Adjustments Of Some Lyreco PPE Stock

    25th September 2020 by

    The Scottish Government has worked with Lyreco to reduce the prices for Type IIr masks and aprons. This reduction in price will be visible on the webshop from 24 September. The prices charged by Lyreco are driven by market conditions – both where and when products have been sourced. Some prices on the framework may...

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  • Supplementary Form For Cremation Applications – Update

    17th September 2020 by

    On 3 April, we blogged about the introduction of the supplementary form that could be used by funeral directors when the signature of the applicant could not be obtained. The only reason for using the supplementary form is “unable to obtain a signature”.  It was always the expectation that the supplementary form would only be...

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  • Funeral Services Remain Limited To 20 People, But Wakes To Take Place With 20 Attendees In Regulated Venues

    10th September 2020 by

    Funeral Services In her statement to Parliament today (10 September), the First Minister confirmed that there is no change to the current funeral service restrictions. Attendance remains capped at 20 for both indoor and outdoor funeral services. Those attending funerals continue to be subject to physical distancing measures to enable a 2 metre distance to...

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  • Inspector of Cremation Annual Report Published Today

    7th September 2020 by

    The Inspector of Cremation’s annual report was published today (7 September) and is available to read at this link. The report provides Scottish Ministers with a resume of duties the Inspector undertook during the period 1 April 2019-31 March 2020.

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