Parashat Devarim
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Funeral Expenses Scheme

The US Funeral Expenses Scheme (FES) is available to all US members and offers peace of mind by ensuring that important funeral expenses are covered. Membership of the scheme requires the payment of an initial joining fee (for anyone joining over the age of 40) followed by the annual payment of US membership subscriptions plus the annual FES fee. It’s a thoughtful step to protect you and your loved ones from financial worries when the time comes.

What FES includes:

  • Burial in one of our active cemeteries (Bushey New or Waltham Abbey), dependent on the location of the shul of which you are a member. For an additional fee, there is an option to be buried in Bushey Old Cemetery, East Ham Cemetery, or Willesden Cemetery.
  • Transport of the deceased. Regrettably, we cannot provide transport services if a member passes away outside of the M25*, but we will provide suggestions and offer guidance. Out-of-hours services are not available, and costs would need to be covered by the family.
  • Taharah (ritual washing) of the body according to Jewish tradition, after which the body is dressed in shrouds, with a tallit included for men.
  • Funeral service, usually led by the Rabbi of the member’s own community or another Rabbi.

*With exception of certain US shuls just outside the M25 area.

What FES does not include:

  • Reservation of a specific plot in advance or an adjacent plot for a spouse or family member. A small charge is made for an adjacent spot for a spouse if required at the time of a funeral. Some members find comfort in reserving a specific location in advance; if you wish to do this, please contact the Head of Burial Operations, Adam Simble via the Bushey Burial Office on 020 8950 7767 (option 3) for availability and advice on costs.
  • Costs related to the stonesetting, including a Sunday booking fee, stone mason charges, and the stone permit fee from the United Synagogue.
  • Ongoing memorial maintenance.
  • Support for transporting a loved one to a non-US cemetery, including arrangements for burial in Israel.

Other important information:

  • To join the FES, you need to be a full member of a US synagogue and keep your membership subscriptions up to date.
  • If you leave the FES at any time, contributions are non-refundable, and a re-joining fee may apply if you decide to re-enrol.
  • The US has reciprocal arrangements with a few provincial Orthodox burial societies. If you wish to transfer, please contact membership@theus.org.uk to confirm if this will be possible.
  • The US Burial Society operates an out of office hours emergency advice line in the event of a bereavement. Please call 020 8950 7767 (option 4).**

** The out of office hours advice line is not answered on Shabbat or Yom Tov (a message can be left), will be responded to approximately 60 minutes after the cessation of Shabbat/Yom Tov.

The 2026 FES rates are:

  • £10 for members aged 21-30
  • £100 for members aged over 30 (per person, per annum)

FAQs

The cost of pre-selecting a specific grave space is dependent on where within a cemetery the space is situated, and in which cemetery it is in.

Pre-selected, in-section spaces are available from £1,800 (per space) in Waltham Abbey in certain sections and from £2,000 (per space) in certain sections within Bushey Old & Bushey New Cemetery.

Spaces on the front/rear rows and the first four spaces in from a pathway are only available to be pre-selected.

For further information and enquiries regarding pre-selecting spaces, please call the Bushey Burial office, 020 8950 7767 (Option 3) or email [email protected] .

Willesden Jewish Cemetery

There are a limited number of spaces available for pre-selection in Willesden Jewish Cemetery. Please call the Bushey Burial office 020 8950 7767 (Option 3) for further information and to arrange an appointment to view available spaces.

*The cost of pre-selected spaces is reviewed annually.

At the time of the first passing of a couple, we offer the option of a spousal reservation for the surviving spouse/partner beside the deceased. This is only for in-section rotational burials (non-selected spaces) at Bushey New and Waltham Abbey Cemeteries.

The current cost for a spousal reservation is £280*, and this is subject to the surviving spouse being a member of the United Synagogue and the Funeral Expenses Scheme.

*The cost for a spousal reservation is reviewed annually.

Cohanim with surviving male siblings and/or direct male children/dependants will be buried in a suitable space to allow their direct male family members to visit them.

Female spouses of Cohanim who pass away prior to their husband, will be buried in a suitable space to allow their husband and any male children to visit them.

Cohanim with no surviving male siblings and/or direct male children/dependants will be buried on rotation in a normal rotational grave space and not in a Cohanim space.

Veteran FES rates are substantially discounted from the standard FES rate. This rate is available to those who have been members of the United Synagogue for 50 continuous years or more. You can apply for this discounted rate by contacting your local Shul.

The current cost of a burial at Bushey and Waltham Abbey cemeteries is £17,000.00. A premium is payable for a burial at Willesden Cemetery, which will cost from £32,000, subject to where in Willesden Cemetery the burial will take place.

There is a Special United Synagogue Burial Scheme. The current cost is a one-off payment of £5,000 for a prepaid funeral (Burial in either Bushey/Waltham Abbey Cemetery). To find out more contact Michelle Mervish (020 8343 5687). Please note each case is treated individually on its own merit.

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