Council registrars are to provide support for funeral services in the Kintyre area as part of a new initiative to help local communities.
Councillors have approved the six-month pilot following an approach from undertakers in Kintyre about a lack of available Church of Scotland Ministers and Celebrants to conduct funerals.
The move will allow registrars based in Campbeltown, who can already officiate at marriage ceremonies and register deaths, to assist local undertakers with funeral arrangements including conducting services.
Councillor Ross Moreland, Policy Lead for Climate Change and Environment Services:
“Due to the retirement and relocation of ministers in Kintyre, local undertakers made us aware of their concerns and those of the community about the impact on funeral services.
We’re pleased to be able to offer the support of our experienced registrars to deliver this important service.
This six-month pilot will mean that people in the Kintyre will be able to arrange funerals within their own community and remove any potential need to travel outside their local areaâ€
If the pilot is successful, there is potential to extend the service across ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ and Bute as there is an increasing shortage of faith-based celebrants in other areas.