ROB Burrow’s funeral plans have been revealed, including the poignant meaning behind the date and a touching procession.
The Leeds Rhinos and England legend passed away on June 2 after a long battle with motor neurone disease (MND), aged just 41.
He died in hospital near his West Yorkshire home on the same day that ground was broken on a new centre for MND research in Leeds which is set to bear his name.
He revealed that he had been diagnosed with the devastating illness back in 2019.
In the five years following his revelation Burrow, along with former teammate and close friend Kevin Sinfield, campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness and funds to help MND charities.
This included Sinfield running seven marathons in as many days in December 2020, raising over £1.7 million and culminating in a touching moment where he and Burrow crossed the finish line together.
Both were awarded CBEs in 2024 for their efforts.
By Adam Hathaway
Kevin Sinfield revealed he got a ‘big smile’ from best mate Rob Burrow when he paid a heartbreaking final visit just days before his death.
The England rugby union defence coach will head home from the tour to New Zealand for his friend’s funeral.
Burrow, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in December 2019, died earlier this month aged 41.
The funeral takes place in Pontefract a week tomorrow, which means Sinfield will miss next week’s opener against the All Blacks in Dunedin with the blessing of head coach Steve Borthwick.
He will then return to New Zealand to help prepare England for the Second Test against the All Blacks on July 13.
Sinfield, 43, said: “That weekend was tough. I got to see him on the Thursday before he passed.
“We had broken from camp. I knew he was poorly, but I walked in to see him and I got a big smile which was brilliant.
“I’ll be home for two days then I’ll be back out here getting ready for the Second Test. Steve has been wonderfully supportive.
“Apart from being at home with family this is probably the best place for me to be. Rob would want me to be here and be part of this. He would want me to be supporting the guys.
“Rob passed on a Sunday afternoon and on Monday we were in camp before we went out to Japan. At that point you want to be with family and friends and on Monday morning, before I travelled down, I was at the site where the Rob Burrow MND Centre is going to be. They put the first spade in the ground, and his mum and dad were there and his sisters.”
Sinfield has led the charge in the fight against MND, raising more than £7million with a series of ultra-running challenges.
But the rugby league legend admits he wishes he could have been at more of the tributes to Burrow at various sporting events and hailed the supportive England squad.
Sinfield joined Red Rose players packing food parcels at an Auckland volunteer centre run by ex-All Blacks star Sir Michael Jones on Thursday.
He said: “It’s been really good to get away and have time to reflect. The lads have been fantastic in my time working with them . . . they’ve shown compassion and care for me that won’t go unnoticed.
“There are a lot of things I have missed over the last few weeks. We were at the Premiership final, where they did a wonderful job with the tribute to Rob and the FA did a wonderful job earlier that week.
“Then at the Challenge Cup final there was a big tribute. There was a big tribute last week at the Rhinos game, there was an MND round in Super League. There are some bits I would like to have been there to witness.”
Burrow’s funeral is a private affair but thousands are expected to line the Pontefract streets.
Sinfield said: “People might know where it is and come and stand outside, but there’s only about 100 people who have been asked to attend. The rest will be asked to line the streets, which I’m sure they will.”
During his illness, Burrow also formed a close friendship with former Scotland rugby union player and fellow MND campaigner Doddie Weir, who died in 2022.
Now, the plans for the sporting icon’s funeral have been confirmed by his old club.
The Leeds Rhinos statement announced that he would be cremated in Pontefract in a private ceremony.
However, members of the public have been invited to line the streets on the route to the crematorium as a final send-off for the great man.
The service will take place on July 7, which the club celebrates as Rob Burrow Day to match his number 7 shirt.
Anyone wishing to pay their respects is asked to stand along the route from 1pm on that day.
The procession will pass along the A656 and A639, passing the local racecourse, before turning onto the B6133.
It will then pass the town’s War Horse sculpture and slow as it passes Featherstone Lions ARLFC, Burrow’s childhood club.
The public are then asked to “leave this part of the journey” as the cars approach the crematorium to allow the Burrow family “a few moments to themselves” before the service.
Rhinos added that the family “politely request” members of the public not to send flowers, but instead to make a donation to the Rob Burrow Fund or the Leeds Hospitals Charity in his memory.
There will then be a civic ceremony honouring Burrow held by the Lord Mayor of Leeds and the city council from 11am on July 12.
It comes after Burrow’s wife Lindsey paid an emotional tribute to her late husband, saying he “made the world a better place”.
Elsewhere, current and former Rhinos players shared their memories of the club legend and explained how much he means to them.
