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The Scottish Government has confirmed to Funeral Director Monthly that Natalie McKail’s contract as Inspector of Funeral Directors has come to an end. After rumours began circulating about Ms McKail’s future, Funeral Director Monthly contacted the Scottish Government and was told that Ministers were currently searching for a replacement.

In a statement, the Government said: “The Inspector of Funeral Directors for Scotland’s appointment came to an end on 30 June 2019 and Ministers are in the process of scoping out the roles and responsibilities for a new Inspector, to be appointed under the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016. It is anticipated that this will build on the work of the former Inspector to ensure bereaved families and their loved ones are treated with respect and dignity.”

When asked for clarification on a timeline, what “scoping” referred to and the reasons why Ms McKail’s appointment had come to an end, the Government declined to comment. NAFD Chief Executive Officer, Jon Levett, commented that he was surprised at the outcome and had written to the Government.

He said: “It isn’t clear why Natalie’s contract has not been extended or at what stage they are at in finding a replacement. The industry has invested huge time and resource in assisting the Inspector – at the behest of the Government – and I think all funeral directors in Scotland need to understand how the Government is proceeding and how it will ensure all that hard work doesn’t go to waste.

“We are pleased that the draft Code of Practice has been published, but that is only one part of a much wider piece of work. We are deeply concerned that Natalie’s report has not been published and that we have been given no indication of why or what is happening with it.”

Joe Fitzpatrick, Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, has reassured the NAFD that he is keen to make progress and will publish the Government’s response to the Independent Inspector’s report as quickly as possible.

However, he stopped short of committing to publishing the report in full, which will cause many to question what it is the Scottish Government doesn’t want the public to see.

Mr Levett added: “The Scottish Government has asked us to act with transparency, and it should do the same.

“We are also concerned that the Government risks losing all the insight and momentum that has been built up towards regulation and an improvement in standards in Scotland.”

News of Ms McKail’s departure has not yet been made widely public but rumours have surprised many people in the profession. The Government’s Code of Practice is currently out for consultation, but her report and other guidance around licensing have yet to be released.