Star of David Memorial Chapel
Redefining the Dignity of the Jewish Graveside Funeral Service
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Funeral Planning

Gathering information is a good first step when you are researching funeral planning. But it is only the first step. The next step, the tough part, is actually sitting down to make the pre-arrangements. It is an acknowledgment that the inevitable is, in fact, going to happen. Some people choose to avoid the painful thought of a loved one dying and tuck the information they have collected safely away to be retrieved only when necessary. This is certainly understandable but doing so negates the opportunity to handle this difficult task when it is best handled-prior to as opposed to when you have to make these decisions. It’s hard enough to do in advance of need; think how hard it will be at the time of need.

So, if you’re ready to take the next step, here's what you need to know

Funeral planning involves two parts. Part One-Furnishing the funeral service with the information needed to coordinate the service. Part Two-Making choices as to the specifics of the service.

Let's discuss Part One-the required information

Part One Details

When someone passes away a death certificate is signed by a doctor. We retrieve this certificate and file it with the department of health in order to obtain a burial permit. The information, listed below, known as vital statistics, must be put on the certificate (by us) before we file it. Furnishing us with this information beforehand is very helpful.

  • Name of the person you are planning for
  • Their current residence including city, state, and zip code. If a nursing home, the nursing home address should be used. If a hospital, use the residence lived at prior to entering the hospital
  • Their date of birth
  • Their city and state of birth
  • Are they a citizen of the U.S.? If not, then where?
  • Their sex
  • Their race
  • Their marital status
  • If married, their surviving spouses name (include maiden name if spouse is the wife)
  • Their social security number
  • Their level of education
  • Their occupation when they were working (you can’t use retired) You can use homemaker if applicable
  • The industry or type of business and city and state located
  • Were they a veteran of the armed forces? If so, the branch and years of service
  • Their father’s first and last name, their mother’s first and maiden name
  • Your relationship to the deceased
  • Any information you have regarding the cemetery and location of the burial plot (a previous adjacent burial is always helpful). For instance, is it a society grave or privately held?

Part Two Details

Once the vital statistical information is provided, part two is making decisions on the specifics of the service: For example:

  • Do you wish a tahara and /or shomer?
  • Is it your preference to use a shroud or the person’s own clothing?
  • How many death certificates will you need us to get for you?
  • Will you need us to provide a rabbi and if so, do you prefer, reformed, conservative, or orthodox?
  • Will you need us to provide transportation to the cemetery for you or will you drive your own car?
  • Which casket is the best choice?
  • Would you like us to place a notice in a newspaper?

And that’s it

Once we have the information and you have made the decisions in Part Two (above), your funeral planning is done. When the time of need arises, your only decision will be the day and time you would like us to schedule the service. Important- Any plans you make can be changed!! Just let us know ahead of time and we will abide by your wishes.

When the Time Comes

If you’ve mustered the courage and had the good sense to plan everything in advance, here’s what you do when you need us: Simply call us at any time, day or night as we are available 24/7. You alert us that the person you planned for has passed away. We dispatch one of our directors to transfer the deceased to either our funeral home or one nearby that we have a relationship with. You tell us the time and day you would like us to schedule the service for and we proceed to take care of everything from that point forward.

But if you would rather wait In spite of all of the reasons to plan ahead, you may still elect to wait until the time of need to plan everything. We can still help. Even without preplanning you will still receive the caring, compassionate, and professional service we provide. You will just have to make the decisions in a more immediate fashion at a more difficult time.