Public consultation launched on eco-friendly water cremations

Scottish ministers are seeking the public’s views on water cremations, a new environmentally-friendly process set to be trialled in the UK later this year.

Ministers are also inviting thoughts on proposed regulations covering burial grounds, funeral director licensing and funeral sector inspections in four separate public consultations.

The regulations aim to protect the dignity of the deceased and increase confidence in the funeral sector by ensuring minimum standards of good care and services are maintained.

It comes after responses to the consultation on the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Bill showed public support for the introduction of new, environmentally-friendly alternatives to traditional burial or cremation in Scotland.

Water cremation, also known as alkaline hydrolysis, is a method of disposing of remains using hot water and potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide, or a mixture of both.

The process is already used in Canada, South Africa and parts of the US.

One UK funeral provider has announced its intention to trial the process in a number of undisclosed locations later this year.

The Scottish Government consultation sets out the safeguards which would be put in place to ensure the process would be subject to the same high standards as burial and cremation.

Public health minister Jenni Minto said: “Bereavement can be emotionally overwhelming and being able to engage with the practical issues and funeral arrangements can be very difficult.

“However, it is something everyone is likely to experience at some stage in their life, whether it’s the death of a family member, a loved one, or a friend.

“Having confidence in the care and dignity given to our loved ones, along with the compassionate and professional treatment of those bereaved, can go some way to alleviating that distress.

“The rare instances where this does not happen satisfactorily can have long-standing impacts on people.

“This is why we need to ensure we get the right policy and legal frameworks in place and I urge anyone with views on the issues in these consultations to take the time to respond.”

National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) Scotland president Mark Shaw said: “The NAFD is delighted to welcome and support the public consultations into key areas that will help shape the funeral sector in a new, regulated landscape.

“These new regulations designed to support the oversight of standards in the funeral sector will provide reassurance and security to bereaved people and funeral directors, while the proposed introduction of alkaline hydrolysis, or water cremation, is a step forward in offering future alternatives to burial and cremation.

“These are incredibly important next steps to support bereaved people, and we urge everyone to have their say.”

National Society of Allied Independent Funeral Directors (SAIF) Scotland president James Morris said: “SAIF Scotland are encouraged to see the process of regulation reach the public consultation stage.

“Regulation of the Scottish funeral sector will maintain and ensure the high standards of funeral service, care of the deceased and delivery to the tens of thousands of families in need of a funeral director each year.

“SAIF Scotland looks forward to continuing to work with the Scottish Government on what has been an open and consultative process and has thoughtfully addressed concerns shared by both the Government and the funeral sector.”

The consultations close on November 17.