End-of-Life, Funerals, Shiva & Jewish Mourning

“May God comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.” — HaMakom Yenachem Etchem…

At Congregation Shaarei Kodesh, we walk with you through every stage of life – including its most difficult moments. When a loved one passes away, we are here to offer comfort, guidance, and sacred support.

Rooted in our mission to be a kehilla kedosha, a holy community, we help our members navigate the Jewish rituals of mourning with compassion, tradition, and care. In moments of darkness, we seek to ignite the spark of memory and hope.

Jewish Practices Around Death & Mourning

Judaism offers a rich framework to help mourners move through loss with dignity and meaning. These rituals honor the deceased and support the living, providing structure during a time of disorientation.

Core practices include:

• Tahara (ritual preparation) by the chevra kadisha (burial society)
• Shmirah (watching over the body) before burial
• K’vurah (burial) as soon as possible
• Eulogy and funeral, with meaningful personal and traditional elements
• Shiva, a period of mourning at home
• Kaddish and yahrzeit, ongoing acts of remembrance
• Unveiling, typically held within the first year

Rabbi David Baum is available to guide you through each of these steps, answer questions, and help personalize the experience while remaining rooted in halachah.

Click here for a document on Jewish Mourning Practices (text is in Tab 2 on the Google Doc)

Read an article on Jewish Mourning published on Exploring Judaism by Rabbi Baum.

If You’ve Experienced a Loss

Please contact our synagogue office or Rabbi Baum as soon as possible, even before finalizing funeral arrangements.

We will:

• Help you coordinate with funeral homes and cemeteries
• Assist with funeral service planning and preparation
• Offer spiritual support and presence at the burial
• Guide you through shiva, including prayer services if desired
• Help you prepare for shloshim and annual yahrzeits
• Add your loved one’s name to our Kaddish list for traditional period of mourning

We are committed to supporting our chaverim/members and sacred guests with compassion and dignity during this sacred time.

Shiva & Mourner Support

Our congregation embraces those in mourning with love and presence.
We can help organize:

• Shiva minyanim, led by clergy or lay leaders, in-person
• Meal coordination through our Sunshine Committee
• Prayer books or guidance for those new to Jewish mourning practices

Rabbi Baum is also available for ongoing spiritual counseling during the mourning process.

Planning & Costs

There is no fee for funerals or shiva services for members and their immediate family. For non-members or extended families, Rabbi Baum is honored to serve as available, and an honorarium is customary.

We work closely with area funeral homes, including (list a few trusted partners if appropriate), and can assist with cemetery arrangements upon request.

Honoring a Loved One

Congregation Shaarei Kodesh offers meaningful ways to honor the memory of loved ones:

• Memorial plaques in our sanctuary
• Yahrzeit reminders and Kaddish notices
• Dedicated donations in memory of loved ones
• Annual Yizkor services during major Jewish holidays

Please contact us to learn how your loved one’s memory can become a lasting blessing in our community.

Connect With Us

We are here for you.

To report a loss or begin making arrangements, please contact: