Mourner Support

Sinai’s Mourner Care Program

In Jewish tradition, concern for the mourner is primary. Jewish rituals and traditions of mourning provide comfort and support to those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. The early rabbis essentially offered a plan that provides a structure during these difficult times—one that helps people remember and honor their loved ones as they grieve and “return to life.”

To help family members during the period of mourning, Sinai Memorial Chapel established the Mourner Care Program. It provides one-on-one consultations, practical help, and a listening ear to help you with your physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and financial needs.

Our overall goal is to support you during your time of grief and healing—resuming life without your loved one; reconnecting with work, friends, and favorite activities; and taking on new responsibilities and realities.

A Focus on Jewish traditions: Incorporating Jewish tradition and clinical practice, this program provides professional, practical, and supportive services to you and your family.

What We Offer: This no-cost service is available to every family member that is mourning as well as members of the community. Through telephone consultations, and/or in-person visits, our goal is to help you assess your present life situation and to provide you with short-term counseling, grief education, bereavement aftercare, and connection to appropriate healing opportunities and supportive services in the larger community.

Information and Referrals: We can offer information and referrals for family members who need help with aspects of daily life that may have become overwhelming or challenging. These could include handling finances, obtaining nutritious meals, communicating with insurance companies and public benefit agencies, disposing of possessions, or moving to a new home.

Programs with Collaborating Agencies: Sinai Memorial Chapel also partners with other community organizations to present the Grief and Growing Bereavement Weekend (with the Bay Area Jewish Healing Center and Jewish Learning Works), the Mo(u)rning Conference (with the Bay Area Jewish Healing Center and the Northern California Board of Rabbis), and grief groups in all Bay Area regions served by Jewish Family and Children's Services of San Francisco, the Peninsula, Marin and Sonoma Counties. Sinai was also a pioneering force and long-time partner in the development of the Professional Grief Caregivers’ Network.

To help families mourn a perinatal or infant loss, Sinai has created the Memory Garden at its Eternal Home Cemetery.

For information on the services of the Mourner Care Program, call Jennifer Kaufman or Cheryl Bartky at (415) 921-3636.