Funeral Industry News

  • Temporary Changes to the Death Certification Review Service

    24th November 2020 by

    The Death Certification Review Service (DCRS), run by Healthcare Improvement Scotland, checks on the accuracy of a sample of Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCDs); also referred to as Form 11. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on clinical services, the review of randomised MCCD and Interested Person Reviews, were temporarily suspended...

    Read more

  • COVID-19 Sector-Specific Guidance: A Chance To Give Feedback

    23rd November 2020 by

    The Scottish Government is running a short project to improve their COVID-19 guidance. To inform this work, we are specifically seeking views from people who use our sector-specific guidance. In order to get your valuable feedback, a short survey has been launched which runs to midnight on Sunday 29 November. https://consult.gov.scot/digital-communications/388883c2 Please take a few...

    Read more

  • 11 areas of Scotland move into Level 4 and travel restrictions come into force

    20th November 2020 by

    From 6pm today (20 November 2020) 11 local authority areas in Scotland will move into Level 4 of the Scottish Government’s Local Protection Levels.  More information on which areas of Scotland will move to Level 4 can be found here . Two local authority areas will move from level 3 to Level 2 and the...

    Read more

  • 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...

    Read more

  • 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...

    Read more

  • 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...

    Read more

  • 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...

    Read more

  • 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...

    Read more

  • 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...

    Read more

  • 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...

    Read more