Who should I call when a death occurs?
When the need arises, call us. There is a funeral director available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help guide you through any situation.

What should I do if a death occurs at home rather than a hospital or nursing home?
If a death occurs at a hospital or nursing home, contact us immediately. When death occurs at home, very often hospice is involved and they will provide you the information needed before calling us. If, however, hospice is not involved, you must first contact the police and/or your family physician before contacting us.

What happens if the death occurs away from home?
Once you contact us, our funeral directors will make the necessary arrangements to transport your loved one into our care from anywhere in the world.

What do funerals cost?
The cost of a funeral depends upon a number of different factors, including your choice of service and merchandise. Please contact us for more details.

Can I plan and pay for my funeral in advance of need?
Aboslutely. Many of our families choose to pre-plan and pre-pay their own funerals. It is an act of loving kindness (Gemilut Chesed) to remove the burden from loved ones.

What role does the funeral director play?
A licensed funeral director guides the family through all of the decisions that need to be made as well as coordinates the service components such as arranging for clergy, death certificates, and burial permits. The funeral director orders the family selected merchandise and smoothly facilitates the services.

Is embalming required by law?
Embalming is not required by law and is contrary to Jewish tradition.

How soon after death should the funeral take place?
Traditionally, the burial is to take place within 24 hours of death. Burial, however cannot take place on Shabbat or Jewish holidays including Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, Pesach and Shavout. We are prepared to handle all burials in this expeditious manner. Today many families are not able to schedule the funeral and burial within 24 hours as they are spread out around the world. We can accomodate any of our families' needs and desires in this regard.

What is the difference between a chapel, synagogue or graveside service?
A traditional chapel or synagogue service allows mourners to pay their respects to the family and deceased in a comfortable environment with plenty of seating to accomodate family and guests. Following the service the mourners proceed to the cemetery for a brief committal service. A graveside service takes place at the cemetery only. Seating is usually limited to immediate family members.

What happens if burial is to take place in another state or country?
We can handle all of the necessary arrangements to transfer your loved one no matter where the burial will take place.

What is a traditional casket and why is it required by Jewish law?
A traditional casket is constructed entirely of wood. Jewish law requires the body to return to earth as soon as possible. Wood expedites this process. Often holes are drilled in the bottom of the casket to hasten the disintegration process and the body's return to earth.

In order for a casket to be considered acceptable for traditional Jewish burial, it must meet the following standards:

• Wooden dowels are used instead of nails or screws.
• If glue is used, it must be vegetable-based, not animal based.
• The casket cannot be manufactured on Shabbat.
• The entire casket must be biodegradable, so only natural materials are used in the interiors.

Is it true that the only acceptable casket is a "plain pine box"?
No, as long as the casket is constructed of all wood and not manufactured on Shabbat it will be accepted by any Jewish cemetery or rabbi. All of our traditional caskets conform with Jewish law and are accepted by our local rabbis and cemeteries.

What is a Shomer?
Attending to the body is a Jewish tradition that requires the deceased not be left alone prior to burial. A shomer is a "watchman" who stays with the body and recites selcted Psalms.

What is a Tahara?
The Tahara is the ritual washing of the body performed by the Chevra Kadisha (Sacred Society). This act of ritual purification ensures that the body returns to the earth just as it entered into it. The body is then dressed in tachrichim (burial shroud) in preparation for the funeral.

What are some of the benefits I am entitled to receive?
A surving spouse or dependent children are entitled to a lump sum Social Security benefit. If the deceased was a veteran, certain benefits are also available. The funeral director can explain these benefits in more detail.