Views invited on new burial and cremation regime

Rules covering burials and cremations in Scotland are the subject of a set of consultations newly launched by the Scottish Government.

Burial, a proposed licensing scheme for funeral directors, inspection of burial and cremation authorities and funeral directors, and alkaline hydrolysis, or "water cremation" – an alternative to burial and cremation – are all to be covered by regulations under the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016 .

Jenni Minto, Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, said the proposals on burial, inspection and funeral director licensing "are key to realising the necessary detail, protection and processes envisaged by the 2016 Act", setting minimum standards of care in the sector, supporting consistency of service and establishing a statutory regulatory function to monitor compliance with the 2016 Act and its codes of practice.

Alkaline hydrolysis, a new, environmentally friendly alternative, is already in use in some countries including Ireland, Canada and the USA. It is proposed that similar statutory requirements will apply as to cremation. Ministers want it to remain a matter of choice for the individual which method of disposal is adopted.

Access the consultations here. Responses are due by 17 November 2023.