Frequently asked questions

It is expected that all relevant bodies such as Funeral Directors, as well as Burial and Cremation authorities, register with the Scottish Government. This includes people who are intending to set up a new relevant body, and that registration should occur prior to that relevant body commencing operation.

The register will act as a single point of contact for the general public to access information about the funeral sector in Scotland. Additionally, the register will ensure that there is a comprehensive record of all the organisations which provide funeral services in Scotland. This is important for the purpose of regulating the funeral sector, and to instil confidence in the general public.

The Burial and Cremation (Inspection) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 came into effect on 1 March 2025. They not only provide for Inspectors to undertake inspections to ensure compliance with the relevant legislation and requirements but also make provision for the Scottish Ministers to make and maintain a register for the relevant funeral sector bodies.

All relevant bodies are encouraged to add their own details because the register is an important tool to support the work of inspectors. Where the Scottish Ministers become aware that a relevant body is in operation and has not chosen to add details, the Scottish Ministers may include that body in the Register.

Registration is now open, and you can do so by following the steps detailed below.

Registration can be done in one of two ways:

• Register online: Complete our web-based form
• Register on Paper: Download the registration form (in pdf) or request a paper copy of the form from the Scottish Government Funeral Sector Registration and Inspection Team.

No, registration is free.

The information which the Scottish Ministers may include for publication on the register is:

• the name (including any trading name) of each relevant body,
• the address of the registered or principal office including each premise relating to that relevant body, and
• information relating to inspection reports, enforcement notices and complaints made to Inspectors about relevant bodies.

• You can update any of your account, contact, organisation or premises details at any time by logging into your account.
• Please note if you are an existing registrant accessing the new register for the first time you will be required to reset your password.
• Log into your account and you will be taken to your account dashboard. From there you can click the relevant section to update your account, contact or organisation details.
• You can see an overview of all of your registered premises in the Manage Premises section.
• From here you can update any premises individually by selecting 'Edit'.
• If you wish to remove a premises you can select 'Delete'.
• Please note that if you upload premises using the Upload Tool, then this will overwrite the existing premises.
• You can print your updated certificate at any time from the Manage Premises page.

Yes, if you are registering manually. However, if you are registering online, the system has the facility to enable you to complete one form and add additional premises by following the instructions.

In the vast majority of cases, it is anticipated that the head office will complete the registration on behalf of outlets. We suggest that if in doubt, individual premises should contact their head office to establish if the outlet details are being registered.

To keep the register up-to-date, you are required to notify the Scottish Government of any changes in your particulars, such as a change in a person's name or address or the fact that the person is no longer carrying on a business at an address noted in the person's entry in the register.

You can update your registration details online if you have registered online. Please note it is your responsibility to notify the Funeral Sector Register and Inspection Team if you are no longer offering funeral services.

Key features of the register will include provision for relevant parts of the register to be accessible to the general public on the internet.

You can find out further information about the register on the Scottish Government website or by contacting the Funeral Sector Registration and Inspection Team.

If you have concerns about any aspect of services being provided by the funeral sector you can contact the Funeral Sector Registration and Inspection Team.