The United Synagogue has apologised to a grieving family after one of its shuls failed to provide a rabbi to oversee both the funeral and stone-setting of a member at Bushey cemetery.

It is investigating why a Pinner Synagogue minister did not officiate at the ceremonies for Samuel Sandler, who had been an active Pinner congregant for 40 years.

The inquiry follows a complaint to US chief executive Steven Wilson by Mr Sandler’s daughter, Monica Gilbert, about the family’s “disgraceful” treatment by the shul and its rabbi, Danny Bergson.

She wrote that “all our family and friends gathered at the cemetery for the funeral to show their respect to my father but there was no minister from Pinner shul in attendance.

“My husband had to telephone our shul in Northwood and the minister [from there] came. We were distressed by the inefficiency and disrespect.”

Ahead of the stone-setting last month, Mrs Gilbert was assured that there would be no repetition. But “once again, the rabbi from Pinner failed to attend and our rabbi from Northwood conducted the service.

“Later in the afternoon, the rabbi telephoned to apologise for their ‘mistake’.” He later apologised in person.

“My dad deserved more respect as a loyal member of the community.”

Rabbi Bergson declined to comment.