When Death Occurs

What Sinai Does

From the moment you first contact us, all of us at Sinai are committed to supporting you and your family during a difficult and emotional time—one that includes making many decisions that reflect your values, traditions, and desire to honor the person you have lost.

As a chevra kedisha (traditional Jewish burial society), we are committed to following Jewish traditions. We recognize that people practice Judaism in different ways, and strive to honor your preferences and wishes for your loved one.

We undertake these acts with utmost care and respect. It is the first step in honoring our commitment to the tradition of k’vod hamet (respect for the dead). Some of the ways we can help include:

• Bringing your loved one to the funeral home (at any time of day), making arrangements for preparation and transportation if death occurs out-of-state or out of the country, or arranging for the deceased to be buried locally, in another city, or in Israel
  

• Notifying authorities of the death, as necessary

• Arranging all aspects of preparing your loved one for services and burial
  

• Arranging a cremation, if that is chosen
  

• Making arrangements with the cemetery of your choice, including facilitating the purchase of a plot, if needed
  

• Coordinating schedules with your rabbi or the person who will officiate at the funeral service
  

• Helping you select a rabbi or someone else to lead the funeral service if you are not a member of a congregation

• Arranging all aspects of the funeral or memorial service, including flowers, music, the service, and transportation to the service location and/or cemetery

• Writing and publishing an obituary
  

• Preparing and filing the death certificate, as well as any other necessary permits and authorizations

• Providing counseling through Sinai’s Mourner Care Program
  

• Assisting with designing and purchasing a headstone or grave marker for placement immediately or at a later date