Burial Applications
New burial application forms must be used from 1st March 2025
- The Scottish Government has introduced standard statutory burial forms to be used by all burial authorities for all burials in Scotland.
- These forms will replace local variations and ensure consistency across all burial authorities in Scotland.
- These new application forms can be completed electronically or by hand.
Please see the Scottish Government summary of the seven statutory application forms (which include guidance notes at the end of each form). This Scottish Government page includes a table summarising which form you should use and information on how to sign the PDF forms using Adobe Acrobat. The Orkney Islands Council version of the forms can be found in the ‘Related Downloads’ section on the right-hand side of this page.
If you are arranging a funeral, and you are using a funeral director they will be able to advise you about which form you will need to complete.
If you are not using the services of a funeral director and are making the arrangements yourself, please speak to the Burial Clerks directly to make the necessary arrangements for the burial. Please return the Burial Application Form to the Burial Clerks by emailing registrar@orkney.gov.uk, or posting or delivering to Council Offices, School Place, Kirkwall, KW15 1NY, as noted on the top right of the form.
For further information regarding the forms, including making corrections and changes after submission, please see the advice on this Scottish Government guidance webpage.
Contact
For queries about the purchase of a lair or arranging a burial contact the relevant Burial Clerk (found on the Burial Grounds Map) or call the Kirkwall Registration Office on 01856 886333. Most areas of Orkney are now administered centrally from the Council offices with a number of exceptions.
