The United Synagogue is very sorry for your loss; we are here to support you in every way possible.
If the passing has taken place outside of our office hours or on Shabbat/Yom Tov, please complete the online form below to notify the Burial Society of the passing.
Burial Office Hours
| Monday – Thursday | 09:00 – 17:00 |
| Friday (Summer) | 09:00 – 15:00 |
| Friday (Winter) | 09:00 – 13:00 |
| Sundays | 09:00 – 16:00 |
| Bank Holidays | 09:00 – 13:00 |
During these times please call: 020 8950 7767 (Option 1) to notify us of a bereavement.
Out of Hours Advice Line
Our out of office hours advice line is available when the office is closed, please call 020 8950 7767 (Option 4)
| Monday – Thursday | 06:00 – 08:30, 17:00 – 23:00 |
| Friday & Erev Yom Tov | 06:00 – 08:30 & from office closure until 60 minutes prior to the beginning of Shabbat/Yom Tov |
| Shabbat/Yom Tov | 60 minutes after the cessation of Shabbat/ Yom Tov until 23:30 |
| Sunday | 06:00 – 08:30, 16:00 – 23:00 |
| Bank Holidays | 06:00 – 08:30 13:00 – 23:00 |
The Advice Line will not be answered during Burial Office opening hours, on Shabbat/Yom Tov or outside of the above hours.
Guidance
At Home (Expected Passing)
Call the deceased registered G.P. Surgery for out of hours details or 111 for the NHS care line to arrange for a locum Doctor to attend to confirm the passing and issue a certificate/verification of passing. (DO NOT CALL 999 unless the person is still breathing or showing signs of life).
Please Note: A certificate/verification of passing is not a valid death certificate, and you cannot use the form to make a registration appointment, it only allows the United Synagogue Burial Society or a third-party funeral service company to collect the deceased.
Third-Party Care (Nursing/Care Homes, Hospices & Private Hospitals (without on-site mortuary facilities)
You may be required to arrange out of hours collection & care as soon as possible once the Verification/Certification of passing has been completed by a Registered Nurse or Out of Hours (NHS 111) Locum Doctor.
Some private nursing/care homes, hospices and private hospitals have a private arrangement with a local Funeral Directors to look after the deceased until the registration process has been completed. You may wish to contact and engage with one of the suggested (Third-Party) funeral care service providers below, should you need to move the deceased out of hours or on Shabbat/Yom Tov.
Using one of the suggested companies below may be prevalent if you are attempting to arrange for a funeral for the same/next day, as some funeral directors are unable to facilitate release on a Sunday/Bank Holiday or at short notice, they may also charge an additional secondary fee to the family to do so.
Kavod Funeral Services (Jewish Undertakers)*
020 3191 9100
(All London Areas, Herts, Berks, Bucks, Kent, Sussex)
Carmel Funeral Services (Jewish Undertakers)
020 8880 1655 / 07976 914081
(N16, London & All Surrounding Areas) Not available on Shabbat/Yom Tov
T. Cribb & Sons*
020 7476 1855
(Essex & East London only)
*Have non-Jewish staff available to collect on Shabbat & Yom Tov.
Please Note: The charges for removal and care by a Third-Party Funeral Director / Undertaker are not covered by the United Synagogue Funeral Expenses Scheme, and all charges must be settled directly with the funeral directors by the family (possibly prior to release from their care).