Burial: statutory forms
Updated statutory forms and related guidance introduced by The Burial and Cremation (Applications and Registers) (Miscellaneous Amendment) (Scotland) Regulations 2025, effective from 2 March 2026.
The seven statutory application forms, originally made under The Burial (Applications and Register) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 and The Burial (Applications and Register) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 that came into force from 1 March 2025, have been updated. Each form applies to a specific burial scenario, as outlined in the table below.
These statutory forms must be used for all burial applications at any burial ground in Scotland. They may be completed electronically or printed and filled in by hand, and burial authorities may provide versions with their logo and address already included.
If you are arranging a funeral, and you are using a funeral director they will be able to advise you about which form you will need to complete.
If you are not using the services of a funeral director and are making the arrangements yourself, you can contact your chosen burial authority directly to make the necessary arrangements for the burial.
We will upload revised forms and guidance after review shortly. The guidance notes are not part of the application form and do not need to be sent to the burial authority.
Read more about The Burial (Applications and Register) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 and The Burial (Management) (Scotland) Regulations 2025.
We recommend using Adobe Acrobat Reader software for best results. This is a free, trusted standard for viewing, form filling, printing, signing and annotating PDFs.
Signing your PDF using Adobe Reader
Option 1: draw function
Applicants, funeral directors and burial authorities can sign the document using the freehand “draw” function. The benefit of this option is that the document does not lock down after adding the first signature, enabling further text and signatures to be added.
- Open the PDF in Adobe Reader
- Complete the relevant form fields
- To sign – click the draw freehand icon
- Free draw your signature on the signature line (note you will not be able to upload a photo of a signature using this method)
- If you need to move or resize the signature, click select text and drag/ resize accordingly
- Save and close your PDF
Please note, if you use the draw function and intend to print the document at any point, you must make sure you select ‘Document and Markups’ under the ‘Comments & Forms’ dropdown, otherwise the signature will not print.
Option 2: fill and sign
- Open the PDF in Adobe Reader
- Complete the relevant form fields
- To sign – click the Sign icon next to the signature field
- Choose add signature (if you have previously done this you will see them to choose from) then either:
- draw or upload an image of your signature
- Click to place your signature next to the signature field and drag the blue handle to resize accordingly
- Save and close your PDF
Read more information on applying signatures.
|
Form |
To apply for burial of the remains of: |
Used by: |
|---|---|---|
|
BF1 |
Adult or child |
The nominated individual or the nearest relative |
|
BF2 |
Stillborn baby |
The woman who experienced the stillbirth, the nearest relative or the authorised health body (NHS Health Board or independent health care service) |
|
BF3 |
Pregnancy loss on or before 24 weeks gestation |
The woman who experienced the pregnancy loss or a nominated individual |
|
BF4 |
Pregnancy loss(es) on or before 24 weeks gestation |
The authorised health body (NHS Health Board or independent health care service) |
|
BF5 |
Adult or child (section 87 application) |
Local authority |
|
BF6 |
A whole body or body parts following anatomical examination (where the body was donated on or after the commencement of the Anatomy Act 1984) |
University anatomy school |
|
BF7 |
Body parts following anatomical examination (where a person died and their body was donated before The Anatomy Act 1984 came into force or where date of death is not known but is understood to be before 14 February 1988) |
University anatomy school |
Contact
For any queries, email BurialAndCremation@gov.scot
Post:
Burial and Cremation, Anatomy and Death Certification Team
Scottish Government
St Andrew's House (GER)
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG