Commentary on Sections Handling of ashes Section 53 – Failure to collect ashes
141.This section sets out the procedure to be followed by a cremation authority where it has retained ashes in line with section 52(2) or (3) but the applicant or funeral director has not collected the ashes as agreed. The cremation authority must take reasonable steps to ascertain whether the applicant wishes the ashes to be retained for longer to enable the applicant or a funeral director to collect the ashes. The cremation authority may agree with the applicant a timescale within which the ashes must be collected in this instance. The applicant may also authorise the cremation authority to dispose of the ashes in a specified manner.
142.Subsections (3) and (4) provide that the options available to the applicant are for the cremation authority to retain the ashes for a further agreed period, for the ashes to be collected by the applicant, or for the funeral director or for the cremation authority to dispose of the ashes in an agreed manner.
143.If the cremation authority is unable to ascertain the wishes of the applicant, subsection (6) enables the cremation authority to either retain or dispose of the ashes in a manner specified in regulations made by the Scottish Ministers.