Rob Burrow's funeral will take place on a poignant date: Sunday July 7.
Leeds Rhinos and his family have today confirmed plans for the legendary former scrum-half’s final send-off. The private funeral will take place on July 7 - the day each year that the club annually celebrates Rob Burrow Day because of the iconic number 7 shirt worn during his illustrious rugby league career. The service will be for invited guests only with a limited capacity at Pontefract Crematorium for the service.
However, Burrow’s final journey has been published and members of the public are invited to stand on the roadside to pay their respects to him and his family as the funeral cortège makes its way to the service. Members of the public are asked to be in position from 1pm on the day.
The cortege will travel along the A656 (Park Road) passing the Xscape leisure complex on their right as it travels towards the M62 junction. The cars will continue along the A639 towards Pontefract passing Pontefract Racecourse before turning onto Park Lane (B6134) near Pontefract Tanshelf train station.
The cortege will follow along Ackton Lane into Ackton before turning left onto Sewerbridge Lane and Common Side Lane (B6133) heading towards Featherstone. At the War Horse sculpture the cars will turn left, slowing for a moment at Featherstone Lions ARLFC’s ground on Wakefield Road (A645).
The cortege will slow again as it passes through Featherstone and near to where Burrow played his junior rugby. The cars will continue along Pontefract Lane towards the crematorium.
However, members of the public are asked to leave at this part of the journey so the Burrow family can have a few moments to themselves before arriving at the crematorium for the service. Entry to the crematorium and service will be for invited guests only.
Kevin Sinfield, Burrow's former Rhinos team-mate and partner in so many of his fundraising efforts, will be in attendance. The England rugby union coach has been granted compassionate leave from the tour of New Zealand and will fly around the world to ensure he is there for his close friend's final send off.
The Burrow family hope, by publishing the route, it will give the public the chance to pay their respects. The funeral will not be live streamed. Leeds City Council and the Lord Mayor of Leeds will host an invite-only civic reception in honour of Burrow on Friday July 12 at 11am. That event will be live streamed.
The family have politely asked that members of the public do not send flowers. If people want to make a donation they can do so using the following links: If wanting to support Rob’s family directly: https://www.gofundme.com/f/leeds-players-association-supporting-rob-burrow If supporting the Leeds Hospitals Charity appeal to build the Rob Burrow Centre for MND: https://www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/donate/mnd-centre-appeal