Cremation: 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The seven statutory application forms, originally made under The Cremation (Scotland) Regulations 2019 that came into force from 4 April 2019, have been updated. Each form applies to a specific cremation scenario, as outlined in the table below.
These statutory forms must be used for all cremation applications at any crematorium in Scotland. They may be completed electronically or printed and filled in by hand, and cremation 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 and will provide one for the crematorium where the service will take place.
If you are not using the services of a funeral director and are making the arrangements yourself, you can contact your chosen cremation authority directly to make the necessary arrangements for the cremation.
We are updating the guidance notes. In the meantime you can access the original versions from the bottom of this page. The guidance notes are no longer part of the application form and do not need to be sent to the cremation authority.
Read more about The Cremation (Scotland) Regulations 2019.
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 cremation of: |
Used by: |
|---|---|---|
|
A1 |
Adult or child |
Relative or nominated individual |
|
A2 |
Stillborn baby |
Parent or nominated individual |
|
A2 |
Stillborn baby |
Health body/ hospital/ NHS |
|
A3 |
Pregnancy loss on or before 24 weeks gestation |
Woman or nominated individual |
|
A4 |
Pregnancy loss(es) on or before 24 weeks gestation |
Health body/ hospital/ NHS |
|
A5 |
Adult or child (section 87 application) |
Local authority |
|
A6 |
Body after anatomical examination |
University anatomy school |
|
A6 |
Body parts after anatomical examination |
University anatomy school |
|
A6 |
Body parts after hospital arranged post mortem |
Hospital |
|
A7 |
Body parts after anatomical examination (where person died before Anatomy Act 1984 came into force) |
University anatomy school |
Forms
Guidance
Contact
Email:
For any queries, 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