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Annual report, written by Robert Swanson QPM, Senior Inspector of Burial, Cremation and Funeral Directors, providing a resume of duties undertaken in the role from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025.

Introduction

This report has been compiled by Robert Swanson QPM and is submitted in accordance with the requirements of Section 93 of the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016, to provide Scottish Ministers with a resume of duties undertaken during the period 1st April 2024 to 31st March 2025.

Duties performed by the Senior Inspector in reporting year

Throughout the past year the Senior Inspector has worked closely with all major stakeholders within the funeral industry and has assisted Scottish Government in their proposals to regulate the funeral sector under the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016.

This has included being a member of various Working Groups and contributing to the development of policies and procedures for the administration of an inspection regime for the funeral sector.

The Senior Inspector met with Jenni Minto, Minster for Public Health and Women’s Health, at the Scottish Parliament Building (Holyrood) in June 2024, and also during a visit to Funeral Director premises in Edinburgh in August 2024.

He has also liaised with a number of other MSPs, regarding enquiries or specific allegations or complaints within their constituency.

During the period of this report the Senior Inspector visited and carried out an Inspection of 32 of the now 34 Crematoria in Scotland. This included the latest new Crematorium at Bishopbriggs, which opened in December 2024.

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