Regulations complete Scottish cremation policy update

From April this year, Scottish Parliament regulations will require crematoriums in Scotland to keep people's remains for a minimum of four weeks following their cremation. The new regulations, brought about under the Burial and Cremations (Scotland) Act 2016, enter into force this spring in the wake of the baby ashes scandal uncovered in 2013.

In addition to the new minimum holding requirement, the regulations will also govern the period for retention of cremation records. Timescales for the retention of these records held by local authorities will be increase from 15 to 50 years, increasing transparency for future generations of families.

The Scottish Government confirmed that some families continue to receive ongoing emotional support in light of the fallout from the national scandal, and that support will continue to be made available where families require it.