Cremations and burials governance modernised with new bill

The Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Bill will modernise and update 100 year-old legislation – introducing a definition of ashes, standardising forms and record-keeping across Scotland, clarifying the process for instructing the disposal of human remains (including pregnancy loss) and placing a duty on burial authorities to maintain the safety of burial grounds.

It also contains provisions to give Scottish ministers the powers to introduce a licensing scheme for funeral directors.

The bill takes forward recommendations from the Infant Cremation Commission chaired by Lord Bonomy, which was set up following concerns about the historical mishandling and disposal of infant remains.

The bill also gives effect to those recommendations made by the Burial and Cremation Review Group not already implemented in the Certification of Death (Scotland) Act 2011.

Public health minister Maureen Watt said: “The new legislation will bring important and much-needed changes to burial and cremation processes - helping to ensure that they are easy to understand, reliable and fit-for-purpose.

“It will create a legislative framework for burial and cremation that will meet the needs of 21st Century Scotland and address the shortcomings in the current system.”

In line with the recommendations from the Infant Cremation Commission, the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) bill will:

The new legislation will also modernise and improve the administrative procedures surrounding adult cremation.

It also contains measures to give Scottish ministers the powers to formally regulate the funeral industry – including making provision for the introduction of a licensing scheme for funeral directors.

The government will also supplement the existing role of inspector of crematoria by establishing two new inspector roles for burial authorities and funeral directors.

Burial authorities, such as local councils, will also be given the power to carry out activities considered necessary for the upkeep and management of burial grounds – including maintaining and repairing headstones and memorials to make them safe. The bill will make it a legal requirement for burial authorities to ensure the safety of burial grounds.

The bill will also regulate private burials (i.e. burials at home or in a private family burial ground) and introduce measures to address the issue of pressure on available burial land in Scotland.