Cremation (Scotland) Regulations 2019: guidance

Handling of Ashes

All timescales are minimum and can be extended

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Handling of Ashes –all timescales are minimum and can be extended 

Before Cremation 

Applicant chooses one of the options on the cremation application form to instruct what is to happen to the ashes. 

After Cremation 

CA makes ashes available for collection by applicant, their representative or FD (unless CA instructed to disperse ashes). 

Ashes were to be collected from CA by applicant or rep but are not collected within 4 weeks. 

Ashes collected by FD from CA but applicant or rep does not collect from FD within 4 weeks of being told available. 

Ashes returned to CA by FD. 

CA holds ashes and at end of 4 week period contacts applicant for instructions. 

FD holds ashes and contacts applicant at end of 4 week period for instructions. 

CA contacts applicant to say holds ashes and they have 4 week to instruct CA what to do. 12 Weeks 

No response from applicant 

No response from applicant 

Ashes to be collected by applicant, rep, FD (4 weeks) 

CA instructed to dispose of ashes. 

Applicant will collect ashes from FD within next 4 weeks. 

Applicant instructs FD to return ashes to CA for disposal or collection - FD must return immediately. 

No response from applicant 

Applicant to collect from CA within 4 weeks. 

Applicant instructs CA to dispose of ashes. 

Ashes still not collected by applicant, rep or FD after 4 weeks and no instructions have been received from applicant. 8 Weeks

CA is entitled to dispose of ashes. 

Ashes not collected from FD after 4 weeks. 

CA contacts applicant: ashes ready to collect and will hold for 4 weeks or confirms if they can be disposed of. 

CA can hold ashes for further period or may dispose of ashes immediately. 

CA may dispose of ashes immediately. 8 Weeks 

If CA is instructed to dispose of ashes. 

CA may dispose of ashes immed-iately. 

Ashes not collected from CA after 4 weeks and no instructions have been received from the applicant. 12 Weeks 

CA can hold for further period or may dispose of ashes immediately. 

Ashes still not collected after 4 weeks and no instructions have been received from the applicant. 12 Weeks 

FD may return ashes to CA. 8 Weeks