Scottish govt approves code of practice for funeral directors

The Scottish government has approved an official statutory code of practice for funeral directors, signalling the first major step in the regulation of the funeral industry in Scotland.

The Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors’ president, James Morris, has welcomed the development, which follows several years of consultation with the sector. 

The code of practice was rubber stamped by the Holyrood parliament on 31 January and has given businesses a one-year grace period from 1 March to align with the code’s requirements. 

The Scottish government requires full compliance with the new code of practice by 1 March 2025 from all funeral directors carrying out funerals in Scotland, regardless of where their business is based.

Morris said: “For years, many of us have been calling for a level playing field in which all funeral directors across Scotland are required to operate to a set of high standards. This new code of practice, whose creation has been informed by our expert government liaison team, does exactly that.

“It’s also important to note that SAIF has been conscious to align its UK-wide code of practice with the Scottish code, to ensure ease of compliance with the new regulations for small businesses.”

The aim of the code, which has its legal basis in The Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016, is to ensure that “every person in Scotland will have a dignified and respectful funeral and bereaved families can be reassured that good standards of care will be provided”.

The code also seeks to achieve three outcomes, namely minimum standards of care of the deceased, the establishment and promotion of a common understanding of good practice in relation to care of the deceased, and increased transparency of choice of goods and services to help people in Scotland to make informed decisions.

Terry Tennens, chief executive of SAIF, added: “We are pleased to see Scotland’s statutory code reach approval and implementation. SAIF believes this is a proportionate document that will safeguard the interests of bereaved families without creating challenges for the many small businesses that work tirelessly to provide a high standard of care and support.

“It is actually a very positive template for regulation elsewhere in the country and is testament to what can be achieved when all interested parties take a consultative approach to business governance.”