The following changes to access at Edgwarebury and Hoop Lane Cemetery have been made.

• The cemeteries will be open to visitors between 8am and 4.45pm on all days except Shabbat and festivals. We wish to make it clear to communities that we expect all visitors to the cemeteries strictly to obey the current government guidelines. In particular, we expect visitors to be either individuals or members of the same household, and to observe social distancing at all times. We will be putting up printed signs to reinforce this.
• Admission of visitors to the cemetery will be restricted while a funeral is taking place in the grounds.
• Attendance at funerals will be limited to members of the same household of the deceased person, and close family members, up to a maximum of 12 persons plus the rabbi or other officiant. Those who are symptomatic, shielding or otherwise vulnerable should be discouraged from attending funerals. Social distancing around the grave should be strictly observed.
• Shovels and dry sand will not be provided at burials, and transport within the grounds will not be available.
• The cemetery buildings including prayer hall, tahara facilities, office and toilets will remain closed. Outdoor hand washing facilities remain available.

Stonesettings will remain postponed until further notice.

We as a nation are now experiencing funeral poverty and this is causing great concerns for many people. The DWP has changed the criteria due to the pandemic and anyone can make a claim that is in receipt of income related benefits and this now also includes housing benefit.

The contact number to make a claim is a Freephone number 0800 1469 0140 and choose option two.

The form can be completed over the phone or you can download the form at https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments.

They can pay up to £5,000 towards the cost of a funeral, when making the claim they will need the funeral invoice as the DWP need the breakdown of burial costs.

The Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service is a confidential counselling organisation available to people of all ages within the Jewish community.  Despite safe distancing and self-isolation due to Covid19, JBCS is able to provide counselling through telephone and online platforms.

Their contact details are: Trisha Curtis, Tel: 0208 951 3881, Email: trisha@jbcs.org.uk For further information go to: www.jbcs.org.uk

The S&P Sephardi Community Burial Society organises burials and tombstone consecrations in Sephardi sections of the Hoop Lane and Edgwarebury cemeteries. We organise, oversee and advise on the various processes that are required by both Jewish and English law at this difficult time. Please contact the Burial Society office for further details.

The Burial Society has a strict ‘no gratuities’ policy and people who would like to donate towards the upkeep of the cemeteries are asked to do so through the charity boxes found in the cemeteries.

CONTACTS

Funeral Arrangements

TOMBSTONE MAINTENANCE, ROSE TREES, BENCHES ETC

For information about services provided by the cemeteries, for example tombstone maintenance and rose tree or bench dedication, please visit Edgwarebury Cemetery website | Hoop Lane Cemetery website.

Contact

Edgwarebury –  020 8958 0090 /  manager@ejbb-jbc.org.uk.

Hoop Lane – 020 8455 2569 / linda@ejbb-jbc.org.uk.