Jewish funeral directors in the UK

A Jewish funeral is traditionally a simple burial held as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours, but never on Shabbat or major festivals. The burial society (Chevra Kadisha) prepares the body (tahara) and dresses it in white shrouds; mourners recite Kaddish and then sit shiva at home for seven days. Orthodox Judaism does not permit cremation; Reform and Liberal communities do. FuneralFinder lists 0 specialist funeral directors and 197 synagogues across the UK, with local Jewish funeral guides for 107 towns and cities.

Jewish funeral services by town

Where the most synagogues are

Jewish funerals: key facts

Burial or cremation	Burial in Orthodox practice; cremation accepted by many Reform and Liberal communities
How soon	As soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours — not on Shabbat or major festivals
Who arranges it	Usually the synagogue’s burial society (Chevra Kadisha) rather than a high-street funeral director
Preparation	Tahara (ritual purification) and plain white shrouds (tachrichim); no embalming or viewing
Mourning	Shiva for seven days at home, then shloshim to day 30; stone setting within about a year

Read the full guide to Jewish funerals →

Frequently asked questions

Can Jewish people be cremated?

Orthodox Judaism requires burial and does not permit cremation. Many Reform and Liberal communities accept cremation, and will still help with the funeral.

Why are Jewish funerals held so quickly?

Jewish law values burial as soon as possible as a mark of respect for the person who died. Funerals are not held on Shabbat or major festivals, so timing may move by a day or two.

What is sitting shiva?

Shiva is the seven-day period of mourning after the funeral, when close family stay at home, prayers are said and friends visit to offer comfort.

Do I bring flowers to a Jewish funeral?

No — flowers are not traditional. A charitable donation in memory of the person who died is the usual gesture.