Management of burial grounds, application for burial, exhumation, private burial and restoration of lairs: regulation in Scotland

Overview

Our aim is to modernise the legislation governing burial in Scotland by using the regulation making powers set out in the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016 ('the 2016 Act'). 

The consultation paper sets out a range of proposals and approaches with the aim of clarifying and streamlining existing burial practices as well as introducing new provisions. In particular, we invite views on the following areas:  

• commencement of Part 1 of the 2016 Act,
• the management of burial grounds,
• burial application and register,
• private burial,
• exhumation, and
• the restoration of lairs.

The proposals have been informed by the views expressed by the Burial Regulations Working Group, in addition to input from a wide range of internal and external stakeholders over an extended period.

Read the consultation paper 

Consultations in this collection

This consultation is being published as part of a collection of consultations relating to the content of various sets of regulations that will be made under sections of the 2016 Act which have not yet been implemented. They relate to:

• Licensing regulations for funeral directors
• Burial regulations
• Alkaline hydrolysis (an alternative to burial or cremation)

View all consultations in this collection.

Why your views matter

Your views will help shape the next steps for the regulation of burial in Scotland. We want to hear a wide variety of views from the public and those within the funeral sector.