Coronavirus COVID-19

We have been following the Coronavirus outbreak closely. We understand people are concerned and as the situation evolves, we are continuing to follow advice from the Scottish GovernmentNHS Scotland and the National Association of Funeral Directors, and will continue to take every precaution.

We are able to arrange funeral services remotely via telephone, email, etc.  To reassure you, you will of course still receive the same level of care and attention we always provide.

  • We will continue to listen to the latest Government advice and adjust what we do and how we do it accordingly.
  • We will continue to look after the person who has died with the utmost dignity, and have put steps in place in order to do this safely.
  • It may be difficult for some people to be able to attend funeral services, so it is possible to have funeral services live streamed/webcast.
  • We can help to arrange meaningful memorial services at a later date, and we are more than happy to talk you through different options when you are ready.

If you would like to talk to us, please call 0800 996 1927 anytime of the day or night.

Frequently Ask Questions

Can I still arrange a funeral?

Yes, we are still arranging funerals, either over the phone or in person at one of our offices. We are here to help you whenever you need us 24 hours a day on 0800 996 1927.

 

If you would like to visit one of our funeral homes, we would ask you to call us in advance to ensure there are no other families due to attend.

Registering a death during COVID-19

At the moment the process of how to register a death in Scotland is different, it is currently being completed by phone, you cannot attend a registration office. You can read the Scottish Governments COVID-19 death registration guidance here.

 

The doctor will issue their paperwork (Medical Certificate of the Cause of Death Form 11) directly to the registrars. This will include your contact details. The registrars office will contact you to arrange a time to complete the registration by phone.

 

For more details about registration, please click here.

I am self-isolating but need to arrange a funeral?

We can e-mail and/or post all forms and documents to you which are necessary to make the funeral arrangements.

I’m due to attend a funeral, should I still go?

There is no longer a limit to the number of people who can attend a funeral.

 

If you are attending a funeral, please continue to follow the government advice, this includes the option of wearing a face covering, ensuring you wash your hands regularly and as hard as it may be to do so, avoid close contact with other mourners.

My local Scotmid Funerals office is closed, what should I do?

Unfortunately, it may not be possible for all of our funeral homes to remain open if colleagues are themselves self-isolating or become unwell. If your local funeral home has had to close temporarily, you can contact our team on 0800 996 1927.

Are there any restrictions on funerals for someone who has died from coronavirus?

Currently, there are no restrictions that prevents someone who has died from coronavirus having a funeral, whether it is a cremation or a burial. We are following government guidelines closely on this and should the advice change we will provide updates on this page.

Do the crematoriums have facilities for live streaming of funerals?

We work closely with the crematoriums and can let you know if they are able to live stream or record services. This may be beneficial so the service can be shared with wider family and friends, via a private web link.

What if items in my funeral plan are no longer available due to coronavirus?

The situation is changing regularly and if there are any limitations to the services we can offer, we will work with you and your loved ones to address this.

Keeping you informed

We will continue to keep you updated via our website and our social media accounts.

We will ensure this reflects the best possible information relating to any necessary closures or changes to our services.

For more information on the steps you can take to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 please visit the Government response website.

How to contact us

We're available 24 hours, so please call us anytime on 0800 996 1927

Find out more