Search Legislation

Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016

Status:

This is the original version (as it was originally enacted).

Cremation

45Meaning of “cremation” and “ashes”

(1)In this Act, “cremation” means the burning of human remains; and includes—

(a)where a grinding process is applied to the burnt human remains, that process, and

(b)where any other process is applied to the burnt human remains, that other process.

(2)In this Act, “ashes” means the material (other than any metal) to which human remains are reduced by cremation.

(3)In this section—

  • “coffin” includes any type of receptacle,

  • “human remains” includes, where remains are clothed, in a coffin or with any other thing, the clothing, coffin or other thing.

46Provision of crematorium: local authority

(1)A local authority may—

(a)provide a crematorium,

(b)enter into arrangements with another person for the provision by that other person of a crematorium.

(2)In subsection (1), “crematorium” means a building fitted with equipment for the carrying out of cremations; and includes land (other than a burial ground) pertaining to such a building.

47Cremation authority: duties

(1)The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make provision about—

(a)the management and operation of crematoriums,

(b)the maintenance of crematoriums,

(c)the operation of equipment for the carrying out of cremations,

(d)persons employed by cremation authorities (including in relation to training, qualifications and membership of professional bodies).

(2)A cremation authority must comply with any requirement imposed on it by regulations under subsection (1).

(3)A cremation authority which knowingly contravenes subsection (2) commits an offence.

(4)A person who commits an offence under subsection (3) is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale or to both.

(5)In this section, “cremation authority”, in relation to a crematorium, means the person having responsibility for the management of the crematorium.

48Application for cremation

(1)A person who wishes a cremation to be carried out in a crematorium must submit an application to the cremation authority for the crematorium.

(2)The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make provision for or in connection with an application mentioned in subsection (1).

(3)In making such an application, a person must comply with any requirements imposed by or under regulations under subsection (2).

(4)Regulations under subsection (2) may in particular—

(a)specify the form and content of applications,

(b)specify persons, or a description of persons, who may issue forms on which applications are to be made,

(c)prohibit such persons from altering the forms other than in such ways as may be specified in the regulations,

(d)specify persons, or a description of persons, who may submit applications,

(e)make provision about documents to be submitted with applications, or

(f)make provision for reviews of, or appeals against, decisions of a cremation authority—

(i)to grant an application,

(ii)to refuse to grant an application.

49Section 48: offences

(1)A person commits an offence if the person—

(a)provides information in, or in connection with, an application under section 48(1) which the person knows to be false or misleading in a material way, or

(b)recklessly provides information in, or in connection with, such an application which is false or misleading in a material way.

(2)A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

50Requirements for carrying out cremation

(1)A person may not carry out a cremation unless—

(a)the person is a cremation authority,

(b)the cremation authority has granted an application made under section 48 in respect of the cremation, and

(c)the cremation is carried out in a crematorium.

(2)A person who knowingly contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence.

(3)A person who commits an offence under subsection (2) is liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale or to both.

(4)In subsection (1)(c), “crematorium” means a building fitted with equipment for the carrying out of cremations.

Back to top

Options/Help

Print Options

Close

Legislation is available in different versions:

Latest Available (revised):The latest available updated version of the legislation incorporating changes made by subsequent legislation and applied by our editorial team. Changes we have not yet applied to the text, can be found in the ‘Changes to Legislation’ area.

Original (As Enacted or Made): The original version of the legislation as it stood when it was enacted or made. No changes have been applied to the text.

Close

See additional information alongside the content

Show Explanatory Notes for Sections: Displays relevant parts of the explanatory notes interweaved within the legislation content.

Close

Opening Options

Different options to open legislation in order to view more content on screen at once

Close

Explanatory Notes

Text created by the Scottish Government to explain what the Act sets out to achieve and to make the Act accessible to readers who are not legally qualified. Explanatory Notes were introduced in 1999 and accompany all Acts of the Scottish Parliament except those which result from Budget Bills.

Close

More Resources

Access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item from this tab. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • correction slips
  • links to related legislation and further information resources
Close

More Resources

Use this menu to access essential accompanying documents and information for this legislation item. Dependent on the legislation item being viewed this may include:

  • the original print PDF of the as enacted version that was used for the print copy
  • correction slips

Click 'View More' or select 'More Resources' tab for additional information including:

  • lists of changes made by and/or affecting this legislation item
  • confers power and blanket amendment details
  • all formats of all associated documents
  • links to related legislation and further information resources