The United Synagogue

What To Do In The Event Of A Bereavement



1. Notify one of the burial offices IMMEDIATELY and leave a contact phone number.


United Synagogue Burial Office - 020 8950 7767


If the Burial Offices are closed and you would like to speak to someone please call 07957 119 119 (this service is not available on Shabbat or Yomtov)

2. Notify the Rabbi (and Voluntary Chevra Kadisha if your synagogue has one). This is optional as the burial office will do this.

3. Obtain a death certificate from the doctor or hospital, stating the cause of death.

4. Take the death certificate to the Registrar for Births and Deaths. It must be the Registrar in the vicinity where the death occurred.

5. Phone the Burial Office once you have been issued with the relevant documentation. The burial office will advise what to do next.

6. Once funeral arrangements have been made the burial office will contact the Synagogue Administrator who will assist with shiva chairs and prayer books and liaise with the Rabbi about the funeral and shiva. If you wish, you may contact your own Minister.

7. Speak personally with the Rabbi about the funeral service and shiva arrangements.

8. Notify family and friends of the arrangements.