بِسۡمِ اللهِ الرَّحۡمٰنِ الرَّحِيۡمِ
The following information has been prepared for the benefit of local masaajid that provide funeral services to the Muslim community. The regulatory changes introduced in Scotland in March 2025 are expected to be implemented in England as well, and they will have significant implications for our masaajid.
Funeral Regulation Changes in Scotland (Effective 1st March 2025)
The funeral sector in Scotland has undergone significant regulatory reform since 1 March 2025, driven by the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016 and related regulations. These changes aim to standardise practices, improve oversight, and ensure high standards in funeral services across the country.
Key Changes
- Licensing and Registration: All funeral directors and crematorium operators must now be formally licensed by the Scottish Government, with clear compliance criteria.
- Inspection and Enforcement: The Scottish Government has appointed inspectors with powers to visit, inspect, and enforce standards at funeral premises, burial grounds, and crematoria.
- Standards of Care: New regulations specify minimum standards regarding respectful handling of the deceased, hygiene, and proper record-keeping.
- Record-Keeping and Transparency: Funeral providers are now required to maintain detailed records of all services, charges, and procedures, which must be available for inspection.
Statutory Guidance: A new code of practice provides guidance for compliance, covering environmental considerations, compassionate care, and ethical practices.
Implementation Steps
- All operators were required to register and obtain licences by the start date.
- Inspections are being carried out systematically to ensure adherence.
Non-compliance can result in penalties, licence suspension, or revocation.
Anticipated Funeral Regulation Changes in England
The UK Government has announced plans to introduce similar comprehensive funeral regulations across England and Wales, following Scotland’s lead. The timeline for implementation depends on ongoing legislation and public consultations. Regulations in England are expected to be introduced by mid to late 2025, with a phased rollout.
Full enforcement, including licensing, inspections, and standards, is projected for late 2025 to early 2026.
England’s regulatory framework may include additional provisions, reflecting regional legal standards and existing bodies such as the National Council for the Funeral Industry (NCFI) and the Chartered Institute of Funeral and Cremation Executives (CIFSE). Local authorities are expected to assume primary oversight roles, supported by a national standards framework.
In England, umbrella organisations like the National Muslim Burial Council (NMBC) are working with the government to establish a self-regulating framework for Muslim funeral services. The aim is to ensure all service providers, including mosques and funeral directors, meet a consistent set of minimum standards.
Possible Impact on Mosques Offering Funeral Services
Mosques that provide funeral arrangements will need to adapt to the new regulatory standards. Although the regulations primarily target commercial funeral services, they may also affect religious venues such as local masaajid.
- Facility Standards: Our masaajid will need to ensure that their premises meet hygiene, health, and safety standards set by licensing authorities. This may include upgrading storage facilities or creating designated areas for washing and shrouding.
- Record-Keeping: Our masaajid must maintain detailed records of funeral procedures, ceremonies, and any related charges for inspection and accountability.
- Staff Training: Staff involved in funeral services will require training on compliance with new standards, including respectful handling of bodies and proper documentation.
- Licensing: Masaajid that offer paid funeral services may need to obtain a licence from the local authority in line with the new regulations.
As a result, some masaajid may discontinue offering funeral services, while others may need to invest in renovations to meet health and safety requirements. Greater transparency in the services provided will be necessary. In some cases, masaajid may need to explore partnerships with licensed funeral directors to ensure full compliance while maintaining religious rites.
The Muslim National Funeral Waqf Fund
The Muslim National Funeral Waqf Fund is an emerging community-led initiative in the UK aimed at providing financial support for Muslim funeral expenses and ensuring dignified services in accordance with Islamic law.
Progress and Implementation
- The fund aims to operate as a charitable waqf, supported by donations, and community contributions.
- It is being developed with the involvement of Islamic scholars, community leaders, and financial experts to ensure Shariah compliance.
- The fund will provide grants or loans to cover funeral costs, particularly for those who cannot afford them, and will also support the development of Islamic burial facilities.
The initiative is still in development, with ongoing community consultations and legal structuring. It seeks to establish a sustainable model that can serve the wider Muslim community across the UK, reducing reliance on external funeral services while preserving religious and cultural integrity.
Proactive Practical steps for Masaajid to consider taking
To prepare for the upcoming changes in funeral regulations in England, reflecting the new standards introduced in Scotland, masaajid offering funeral services can start taking the following practical steps:
1. Facility and Hygiene Upgrades
- Assess Premises: Conduct a thorough review of current facilities used for washing (ghusl), shrouding (kafan), and funeral preparation to ensure cleanliness and compliance with health standards.
- Designate Specific Areas: Create or clearly designate hygienic, easily cleanable spaces for funeral preparation that can meet regulatory expectations.
- Storage Solutions: Consider investing in secure, temperature-controlled body storage facilities if not already in place.
- Waste Disposal: Implement or improve bio-hazardous and medical waste disposal protocols in accordance with local health regulations.
2. Documentation and Record-Keeping
- Develop Records System: Establish a systematic record-keeping process for all funeral services conducted, including details of the deceased, procedures performed, approvals, and any costs or donations. Consider setting up a digital system to record all these details.
- Transparency: Document and communicate clearly the funeral arrangements processes to families to enhance trust and compliance. Consider documenting on the masjid’s website.
3. Training and Compliance
- Staff Training: Provide ongoing training to all staff and volunteers involved in funeral services on updated legal requirements, respectful care practices, and record-keeping.
- Health and Safety: Train personnel in infection control, safe handling of bodies, and use of protective equipment.
- Legal Awareness: Familiarise administrative personnel with licensing requirements and regulatory expectations.
4. Licensing and Liaison
- Engage Local Authorities: Initiate dialogue early with local councils and licensing bodies to understand application procedures and timelines. If funeral services are charged or commercially provided, start processes for obtaining necessary licenses.
5. Strategic Partnerships
- Collaboration with Funeral Directors: Establish relationships with licensed funeral directors for support or referral services when needed, ensuring compliance without compromising religious rites.
- Collaboration with other local masaajid: Consider centralising funeral services to a few, one or two, local masaajid.
6. Review and Planning
- Policy Development: Draft or revise mosque policies covering funeral services to align with new regulations.
- Contingency Planning: Prepare for changing circumstances, including the capacity to handle additional regulatory paperwork or inspections.
Compiled by Dr. A. Hussain (Nov. 2025)