National Mourning guidance - News

Her Majesty The Queen | National Mourning guidance

Buckingham Palace announced the death of Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday 8 September.

The Royal Household announced that the State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday 19 September at 11am. It also includes details of what will precede the State Funeral.

All our offices and iCentres remain open, however in paying our respects we have paused certain operations with immediate effect.

Throughout the period of National Mourning our channels will be used to share official updates and information such as road and building closures during the official events. National Mourning will continue until the end of the day of the State Funeral.

It's been announced that Monday 19 September, the date of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral, will be a national bank holiday across the United Kingdom.

On Monday 19 September, we will join the nation in paying our respects for Her Majesty The Queen and the State Funeral, and our iCentres and offices will be closed for the full day.

National Moment of Reflection

People across Scotland are invited to take part in a National Moment of Reflection to mark the passing of Her Majesty The Queen and reflect on her life and legacy.

The National Moment of Reflection will take place at 8pm on Sunday 18 September, the night before the State Funeral, and will be marked by a one-minute silence across the UK.

The silence can be marked privately at home, with friends and family or at locally arranged events and vigils. Community groups, clubs and other organisations across Scotland are also encouraged to take part.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney will lead a moment of reflection outside the Scottish Government’s St Andrew’s House in Edinburgh, alongside other Ministers.

The First Minister is travelling to London on Sunday ahead of The State Funeral of Her Majesty The Queen on Monday morning and will observe the National Moment of Reflection there.

Ceremonial and events guidance

The following ceremonies and events are taking place in Scotland to allow people to pay tribute to the life of Her Majesty The Queen and mark the Accession of His Majesty King Charles III, as listed on the UK Government website.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh Council will be screening the state funeral on a big screen in Holyrood Park in front of the Palace of Holyrood House. More information can be found the Edinburgh Council website.

Scottish Canals

In partnership with The Church of Scotland, Falkirk Council will hold a service of reflection at the Kelpies on Sunday 18 September 2022 at 7.30pm. Further details can be found on their Facebook page.

Advice for businesses

Both the Scottish Government and UK Government have released National Mourning guidance, which we wanted to draw to your attention.

The guidance sets out information on aspects of the National Mourning period, up to the day of the State Funeral such as floral tributes, flags and silences, gun salutes, building lighting, travel within Scotland, social media advice and more.

It outlines that there is no obligation on organisations to suspend business during the National Mourning period. Depending on the nature and location of your business and the tone of planned events, some businesses may wish to consider closing or postponing events, especially on the day of the State Funeral, however this is at the discretion of individual businesses.

You may wish to consider:

Monday 19 September, the date of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral, will be a national bank holiday. What does this mean for your business?
arrangements made by local authorities to lay floral or memorial tributes
whether your business location is likely to be impacted by arrangements made by local authorities, or official ceremonies and events planned, and plan in your response / communicate with your customers
consider any changes you might wish to make to your website and social media activities

Details of the Scottish Government guidance can be found on the Scottish Government website.

Details of the UK Government guidance can be found on the UK Government website.

Advice for international, national and domestic sporting events

There is no expectation that international, national or sporting fixtures will be cancelled or postponed during the mourning period; this is a decision for individual organisations.

If events are taking place during this period, particularly those involving a national team, organisers might wish to show a mark of respect by wearing black armbands, holding a minute’s silence or playing the National Anthem. However, as a mark of respect on the day of the State Funeral (19 September), individual organisations may wish to cancel or postpone fixtures or withdraw teams from games scheduled to take place.

If fixtures cannot be cancelled, it's suggested that times are changed to avoid conflict with the timing of the State Funeral to allow those involved to pay their respects.

Major cultural events

There is no expectation that major cultural events (such as major exhibitions) should be cancelled or postponed during the mourning period. However, for events that are taking place during this period, organisers might wish to consider how they can show a mark of respect, and where possible hold a minute’s silence or play the National Anthem.

Event organisers, particularly those with personal links to the Royal Family, may wish to postpone or cancel performances on the day of the State Funeral.

Theatres, cinemas, leisure facilities and other places of entertainment

It's at the discretion of individual theatres, cinemas and other places of entertainment to decide whether to cancel or postpone performances scheduled to take place during the mourning period.

Where the decision is taken to proceed, organisers may wish to consider some mark of respect, such as holding a minute’s silence or playing the National Anthem.

Information can be found as part of the Scottish Government guidance.