We are working on a range of issues relating to death and end of life.
Actions
We:
- are responsible for legislation and policy covering burial, cremation, anatomy, hospital post-mortems and death certification matters in Scotland
- regulate body donation and licence universities and colleges to hold bodies
- regulate organ and tissue donation and transplantation
- provide guidance on what to do after a death in Scotland
- provide guidance on palliative and end of life care
- provide guidance on bereavement care and support
- are working with COSLA to remove all local authority charges for child burials and cremations
- launched the Funeral Support Payment in September 2019, this benefit provides critical financial support to people at a difficult time
- provide guidance on funeral costs
Background
Burial and cremation
Incorrect practices in the past have resulted in public inquiries into the cremation industry and the wider sector - for example funeral director businesses.
In 2014, the Minister for Public Health announced the establishment of a National Investigation into infant cremations in Scotland. A report of the Infant Cremation Commission was published in June 2014 together with the SG response to the report. The National Cremation Investigation report published in June 2016, provided specific answers to affected families in the Edinburgh area, as well as some wider recommendations.
These developments resulted in the passing of the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016 and the regulatory intervention of Scottish Government under this Act.
The 2016 Act will make much-needed improvements to burial and cremation process in Scotland.
Bills and legislation
The Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016 will make improvements to the burial and cremation process in Scotland. Additional information about the passage of the Bill is available on the Scottish Parliament website.
The regulations for the funeral sector inspectorate and funeral director licensing scheme are being developed, see our revised privacy notice setting out how we will use your information.
The Certification of Death (Scotland) Act 2011 introduced a single system of independent scrutiny of deaths that do not require investigation by a Procurator Fiscal. It also aimed to improve the quality and accuracy of Medical Certificates of Cause of Death.
Human Tissue (Scotland) Act 2006
Contact
Burial and cremation
Email: BurialandCremation@gov.scot
Post:
Burial and Cremation, Anatomy and Death Certification Team
Scottish Government
St Andrew's House (3EN)
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG
Organ and tissue donation and transplantation
Email: Organ_Donation_Scotland@gov.scot
Telephone: 0300 244 4000
Post:
Organ Donation and Transplantation Team
Health Protection Division
Mailpoint 3E North
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG