Accelerate tougher regulation of the funeral sector, Baillie tells Swinney

Scottish Labour’s deputy leader has called on the First Minister to “accelerate” tougher regulation of the funeral sector, as police investigations into claims of missing ashes at a funeral firm continue.

Dame Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, wrote to John Swinney after meeting grieving relatives who used A Milne Funeral Directors and were left fearing their loved ones’ ashes had been misplaced, while some claimed they had lost money when the company ceased trading.

She blamed the situation on a “lack of regulation in the industry in the first place” and called on Mr Swinney to implement regulations that she said had been on the statute books since 2016.

Detectives launched a probe into the now-closed business in May amid allegations of ashes going missing, families being given the wrong remains, and financial misconduct.

Police have arrested three people in connection with an ongoing investigation into the family-run firm, which previously traded on Dumbarton’s High Street as well as in premises in Glasgow. They were all released pending further inquiries.

Unclaimed remains were also discovered by officers during the probe, named Operation Koine, and some customers found they had been given the incorrect ashes, thinking they had the remains of loved ones.

Ms Baillie said she fears “many, many more people” are affected by the situation.

She said: “What this comes down to is a lack of regulation of the industry in the first place.

“The injustice experienced by my constituents and many others must be addressed and I am calling on the First Minister to accelerate the regulations and meet with the families affected.”

Dame Jackie is looking to set up a support group for grieving relatives affected by the situation.

Liz Ruine, spokesperson for the support group, said many people are “struggling to come to terms with the emotional toll, given that they may never know whether they have their loved ones’ ashes”.

The Scottish Government has been asked for comment.