The death of a relative or close friend is a very difficult time. Bournemouth Community Hebrew Congregation has published a Guide for the Bereaved, which provides comprehensive information and guidance at this difficult time. By clicking on the link below you will be able to download the 8-page Guide for the Bereaved in PDF form, which you can then save on your computer and print.

Download PDF

Basic Guide For The Bereaved

The notes below provide an overview of what needs to be done prior to the funeral. The Synagogue office staff, the Rabbi and Rebbetzen, together with the Chevra Kadisha team are there to help and support you through this stressful time.

What to do in the event of the death of a loved one
or close friend:

• Firstly you should contact the BCHC Shul Office on 01202 557433 (option 6) so that they can begin preparations. The Office will inform the Rabbi and contact the Funeral Directors (usually Head and Wheble Tel: 01202 551190) on your behalf, and inform the Chevra Kadisha team.
• Although the Synagogue Office will notify the Rabbi, the family should also contact the Rabbi personally on 07811 202244.
• During out of office hours , or in the unlikely event of the phone being unattended during the working day, please leave a message on the Shul Office answer phone, and telephone Rabbi Rosenfeld on 07811 202244.
• As soon as the death occurs, light a candle if possible near to the body; if your loved one died in hospital, this may not be possible, so you should light a Yahrzeit candle as soon as you get home.
• It is very important in Jewish Law and tradition that the burial takes place as soon as practicable after death, ideally on the same day. You should obtain a death certificate from the doctor or hospital as soon as possible after death.
• You may have to explain that Jewish Law requires burial as soon as possible, and ask the doctor to expedite measures. Most hospitals are familiar with this request and are happy to help.
• The death certificate must be taken to the Registrar for Births, Marriages, and Deaths in the vicinity where the death occurred. In Bournemouth deaths can be registered at:

Registration Services
Town Hall
Bourne Avenue
Bournemouth
BH2 6DY
Tel: 01202 454945
e-mail: registrar@bournemouth.gov.uk

The Registry Office may only be open for a few hours each day, so you should telephone and make an appointment explaining the need for expediency, as Jewish Law requires burial as soon as possible. Once the registrar has issued a green certificate giving permission for burial to take place, let the Synagogue Office know as soon as possible.

Once you have obtained the green certificate, the Rabbi and Synagogue Office can confirm the funeral time and arrangements and advise you what to do next.

• The Office will send out notification to all members to advise them of the bereavement and relevant arrangements.
• It is usual for the officiating Rabbi to speak at the funeral, and it would be helpful for those sitting Shiva to prepare a few notes about their loved one.
• The Office will also arrange to deliver low chairs and Siddurim to the Shiva House.
• All mourners sitting Shiva, are expected to tear an item of clothing, for example a shirt, jacket or jumper. This is known as Keriah. This will be done in private at home, or in the prayer hall, before the funeral service. This garment must be worn by the mourner throughout the Shiva week (except on Shabbat). Non leather shoes should be worn after the funeral, and throughout the Shiva (except on Shabbat).

In summary:

1. Please contact the Synagogue Office.
2. Please obtain a death certificate stating cause of death.
3. Please take the death certificate to the registrar for births marriages and deaths.
4. Please phone the Synagogue Office, once you have the green certificate.
5. The Rabbi and his team will be available throughout to guide you through the funeral arrangements and Shiva.

Cemeteries

We have our own, dedicated Jewish Cemetery in the Area, at Throop. There are also Jewish Sections at the cemeteries in Kinson and Boscombe, where limited space had previously been provided to accommodate members of our Community.

Most visitors acknowledge that Throop is quite possibly the most aesthetically pleasing cemetery in the country.

Throop Cemetery History

At the start of the 1990s, with the imminent closure of the Jewish section of Kinson Cemetery looming and the diminishing space of the congregation’s area at Boscombe Cemetery, BHC was facing a significant problem.

In 1991, Mr Sam Marks z”l, a former President of BHC and, a major benefactor in his modest and unassuming way over many years,  began to actively pursue his dream of finding land in the Bournemouth area for the community to finally have its own cemetery.

Sam and Stephen R White, BHC’s honorary solicitor, spent much time looking at various sites, and finally hit upon some agricultural land owned by Dorset County Council in the village of Throop. The land was bought by Sam and Hilda Marks, without benefit of planning permission, and donated to the congregation.
Stephen R White (to avoid confusion with his close friend Stephen H White of whom more later and during whose Presidency the following events occurred) ably abetted by District Judge Ivor Weintroub, spent much time and effort on the planning application. This was initially rejected by Bournemouth Borough Council, but succeeded on appeal and permission was granted in 1994 subject to certain conditions. These included (a) restricting the height of memorial stones and (b) development of suitable landscaping to protect the view from the sensitive eyes of the good citizens of Throop Village.

Stephen H. sensibly decided that, notwithstanding the lack of sufficient funds – estimated at £250,000 – to develop the site, we should push ahead. The Trustees were therefore approached to sanction loans, a dedicated fund-raising effort was initiated and piloted by Trustee Geoffrey Feld and Treasurer Larry Kaye, and various architects  were approached to provide ideas and costings.
Through the great generosity of Stephen H. and his wife Marilyn the building of the ohel  began in 1995 and Throop Cemetery was consecrated in June 1996 by Rabbi Geoffrey Shisler and Reverend Israel Cohen.

Successful negotiations by Ivor Weintroub with the Charity Commissioners  meant that development of the cemetery fell within the congregation’s charitable objects and therefore much of the costs could be financed from the advance sale of plots to members.

Most visitors acknowledge that Throop is quite possibly the most aesthetically pleasing cemetery in the country. Our most grateful thanks are due to member Leon Taylor, whose landscaping ideas and horticultural skills are a local legend. A tree was planted in recognition of Leon’s outstanding dedication in planning the landscaping and planting of the grounds, and in overseeing their subsequent maintenance. A Garden of Contemplation was later added, endowed by the Hilda and Sam Marks Foundation and the Bournemouth Hebrew Ladies’ Guild.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of Anne Ozdamar, planning consent was granted for the enlargement of the car park, to complement the development of the field behind the car park in order to accommodate additional plots.