FAQ’s

All funeral arrangements are the responsibility of each synagogue in conjunction with JJBS. You must notify the synagogue when a death occurs. Together, the rabbi, synagogue and JJBS will make all the arrangements.

As a member of one of our synagogues, your membership of the JJBS burial scheme is automatic. Your synagogue pays an annual, non-refundable fee to JJBS both to cover the actual cost of the funeral, the plot and to provide and maintain the JJBS cemeteries.

If you live within the Home Counties area this provides you with the right either to a burial at Cheshunt or Southgate or a cremation at Golders Green Crematorium.

In the rest of the country, JJBS will either arrange a burial at one of these cemeteries or make a substantial contribution to the funeral costs.These rights begin as soon as you join a member synagogue. However, during the first 6 months of membership the cost of burial or cremation will be charged at double the standard benefit charge.

The basic cost of the funeral is free. The Scheme covers the cost of undertakers, bearers, transportation, cremation fees, taharah, plain coffin and shroud, plot and cemetery costs.

The synagogue will provide a rabbi to conduct the service, as well as either a rabbi or a suitable lay member to conduct the shiva prayers as required.

The JJBS cover only allows for either the cost of a cremation or a funeral not both, and it does not cover any costs relating to the provision or placing of a tombstone. When ashes are deposited in the Columbarium in the Woodland Cemetery, there will be a charge for interment of ashes plus the cost of any plaque.

For a burial at the Woodland Cemetery please be aware there will be some additional charges incurred.

Woodland burials take up additional space, plus trees have to be planted. However, a woodland burial does not require a costly full tombstone and there will be no future maintenance of a gravestone required. The family may also provide a small, low cost, memorial plaque.

You can either contact your synagogue office or visit jjbs.org.uk for more detailed information about the scheme, including a full list of additional charges.You can also be buried at a cemetery of your choice but this may require an additional contribution, depending on the costs of the funeral.

There are various extras and additional special services which are not covered by the scheme. To find a full list of what is and what is not included, as well as the related charges, please visit the JJBS website (jjbs.org.uk).

There is no charge for the funeral of a member’s family, covering babies, young children and people under the age of 21 years. There are dedicated areas in the Woodland and Western parts of the Cemeteries for the burial of premature, new born babies and children up to 3 years. After reaching 21, they must join a member synagogue in their own right to be covered for burial or cremation.

Your entitlement to a funeral is included with your synagogue subscription. The annual fees paid by your synagogue to JJBS are the same regardless of your age when joining the synagogue. However, if you were 50 or over when you joined the synagogue, there is an additional contribution to be paid.

If you move from one JJBS member synagogue to another without a break, your burial rights are transferred. The rights are not transferable to or from a non-JJBS synagogue.

If you pay into another burial scheme, as well as being covered by the JJBS scheme, when you die, your synagogue will receive a sum from the JJBS which would normally be paid to your estate.

The setting of a tombstone and related costs are the responsibility of the family. All arrangements are made in conjunction with the synagogue, rabbi and JJBS office.

Stone settings on Sundays are very popular, so advance planning is essential. A list of licensed stonemasons is available from the Sexton’s office, who will approve the wording on the tombstone. Once the tombstone has been laid, it is the responsibility of the family to ensure that it is kept clean and in good order.

The maintenance of the cemetery does not cover maintenance, repair, vandalism or re-setting of tombstones. For Woodland burials, there will be a special memorial service at the graveside instead of the conventional stone setting service.

The family can reserve plots at the time of a burial in either the Western or the Woodland Cemeteries for other family members or a friend. There will be a charge for this. You cannot pick any spot in the cemetery, only a space next to a deceased relative or friend.

Jewish members and their non-Jewish partners can be buried in double-depth graves in either the woodland or the lawn sections of the Woodland Cemetery.

Non-Jewish partners can become non-Jewish subscribers of participating synagogues and pay an annual fee towards their funeral costs; alternatively they can receive a non-member’s funeral at a discounted rate.

JJBS will undertake the burial or cremation of a Jewish person who is not a member of the synagogue at a special charge. Burial can be in either the Woodland or Western Cemeteries.