Alkaline Hydrolysis (water cremation) regulation: consultation analysis report

Analysis report of our consultation on the regulation of Alkaline Hydrolysis in Scotland (water cremation).


3. Profile of Respondents

The Scottish Government was keen to gather the views of the public as well as funeral directors, local authorities, private burial and cremation authorities, funeral industry trade body representatives and any other groups or individuals with a working knowledge of funeral directing, burial, cremation or the wider funeral industry. Responses were received from all groups.

Most responses (58) were received though the consultation hub and a further six (6) were received by email. A small number of responses were accepted after the official closing date, on request of the consultees. One non-standard response was received that offered a statement and did not answer the consultation questions directly. Where data from this response was considered relevant to specific consultation questions, the data was included in the analysis of those questions. All other data from this non-standard response was analysed in Question 16.

Of the sixty-four (64) respondents, (n=24, 37%) were submitted on behalf of an organisation and (n=40, 63%) were from individuals. Of those who identified as ‘individuals’, the majority (n=31, 78%) said they did not work in the funeral sector. Organisation respondents were asked to identify which organisation they were responding on behalf of and the type of work the organisation was involved in.

Table 1 provides further detail about this. Responses were received from those representing funeral directing organisations, burial and cremation authorities, local government, relevant trade bodies, faith organisations, health bodies and third sector organisations. Responses from individuals included both those working within, and outwith, the funeral sector.

TABLE 1 Distribution of responses by category and subcategory of respondent.
Responding as Individual or on behalf of Organisation Subcategory of employment/organisation Number of responses Percentage of all respondents (64)
Individual Funeral directing 4 6%
Burial authority 0 0%
Cremation authority 1 2%
Other area of funeral sector 2 3%
I don't work in the funeral sector 31 48%
Not answered 2 3%
Total individuals 40 63%
Organisation Funeral director business/ organisation 4 6%
Trade body for funeral directors 1 2%
Burial authority only 4 6%
Cremation authority only 0 0%
Burial authority and cremation authority 2 3%
Trade body for burial authorities or cremation authorities 2 3%
Health body 1 2%
Local government 4 6%
Faith/religion based organisation 2 3%
Third sector 1 2%
Other organisation (e.g. guidance, sales) 3 5%
Total organisational responses 24 37%
Total Responses 64 100%

Contact

Email: BurialAndCremation@gov.scot

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