Essential First Steps

Please reach out to us first - Contact the Rabbi through the Whitefield Shul Office at 0161 766 3732. We're here to support you, so please leave a brief message with your contact details and we will respond as soon as possible.

If your loved one has a reserved burial plot, please let us know when you call so we can assist with all arrangements.

Funeral arrangements - H&M Goldfine (Funeral Directors) compassionately handle all Jewish burials. You can reach them at 0161 740 2487, and they will guide you through this process with sensitivity.

Documentation needed - Once you receive the Death Certificate from the doctor or hospital, it needs to be taken to the Registrar of the District where your loved one passed away (not where they lived) to obtain a Certificate for Burial (CoB). We understand this can feel overwhelming during your grief - please know that most documentation is now handled digitally, which can ease this burden.

The Certificate of Burial should be sent to Goldfines at Enfield House, Bury Old Road, Salford.
Please note that while we wish we could proceed immediately, funeral arrangements cannot begin until H&M Goldfine receives the Burial Certificate.

Documents are usually provided as a digital file, and transferred via email.

During Shabbat or Yom Tov

We understand that loss doesn't wait for convenient times. While the sacred laws of Shabbat must be observed, we are here to help you as soon as Shabbat or Yom Tov concludes.

As soon as the holy day ends, please call the Shul Office and you will be connected to our Emergency Contact who will provide immediate support.

Although burials cannot take place during Shabbat or Yom Tov, once we receive your details, we will make arrangements as quickly as possible to honor your loved one.

Sustaining Life – פיקוח נפש (Pikuach Nefesh)

Please know that in any life-threatening situation, the laws of Shabbat are set aside. This sacred principle of Pikuach Nefesh means you should do whatever is necessary to help save a life, including driving and making phone calls for emergency help.

Preventing Additional Stress

Our ancient traditions of Jewish mourning have been carefully designed to provide comfort and minimize additional burdens during your time of grief. However, sometimes complications can arise when different burial boards are involved. To help us serve you better and avoid any unnecessary stress, please share as much information as possible with the Shul, along with any relevant documentation.

Garment Cutting – קריעה (K'ria)

As part of our mourning traditions, the primary mourners will need to wear a garment that can be torn or cut before the funeral service. This meaningful ritual helps express our grief, and the garment should be worn throughout the week of Shiva.

Sitting Shiva - The First Week of Mourning

Following the burial, the seven-day period of Shiva begins - a time for mourning, reflection, and receiving comfort from community.

We provide what you need - Low chairs and prayer books are available at no charge. Simply contact our office and we'll arrange everything for you during this difficult time.

The number of Shiva days may be affected by the Jewish calendar, and we'll help you understand how this applies to your situation.

Community support - Your Shiva will be respectfully announced on Shabbat and listed in our calendar. Details will be shared only with those who wish to offer comfort and support, available through the Shul office.

In the Shiva home - All mirrors should be covered, and a memorial candle should remain lit throughout the week. Mourners traditionally do not wear leather shoes during this period.

Yahrzeit יאָרצײַט - Honoring Memory

Each year, we will send you a gentle reminder of the Hebrew anniversary of your loved one's passing. These dates are also respectfully acknowledged in synagogue on the appropriate Shabbat, ensuring their memory is honored within our community.

Charity – Tzedakah צְדָקָה

It is a beautiful tradition to make charitable donations in memory of our loved ones, transforming our grief into acts of kindness that honor their legacy.

Cemetery Information

Philips Park Cemetery
Philips Park Road West, Whitefield, M45 7GJ

Directions: You'll see houses on the right side only as you drive. Continue past the houses until you reach the cemetery gates, also on the right.

Contact Numbers:

• Cemetery: 0161 766 2065
• Whitefield Hebrew Congregation Burial Board: 0161 766 3732

Also administered by:

• United Synagogue Burial Board: 0161 740 9586
• Machzikei Hadass Communities Burial Board: 0161 792 1313

Consecrations & Memorial Stones

According to Jewish law (Halacha), it is required to mark a loved one's resting place. It is customary to erect a Memorial Stone and hold a Consecration Service within the first year following burial.

We'll guide you through this process - Following the funeral, the synagogue will send you a thoughtful letter with complete information about Consecrations and contact details for trusted Stonemasons.

Important timing - Due to natural ground settling, Memorial Stones cannot be erected until at least four months after burial. Consecration timing must also respect Religious Festivals and other occasions when the Cemetery may be closed.

Memorial Plaque - You may also choose to order a Memorial Plaque through the synagogue office. This plaque will be respectfully placed in the Beth Hamidrash and illuminated on each Yahrzeit anniversary, ensuring your loved one's memory remains a living part of our community.

Memorial Stone Care

For information about repairs, cleaning, re-lettering, or other maintenance needs for your loved one's memorial, please contact the synagogue office. We're here to help preserve these important tributes to memory.

Please remember that during this difficult time, our community is here to support you. Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns - no matter how small they may seem.