Judaism is a faith that deals with all aspects of life. Death is an integral part of life. At the time we are confronted with death, a myriad of emotions and questions arise. The synagogue is the place to turn for guidance and support. As there is a Jewish way of life, there is a Jewish way of death; the Rabbis will guide you and your loved ones through this very difficult time.

We encourage our members to contact the Rabbis at the synagogue office before making funeral arrangements. The synagogue telephones are not answered on Shabbat or Festivals; if a death occurs on those days, the Rabbis can be contacted directly by coming to the synagogue immediately before or after worship services.

The Rabbis will assist you in assuring that all Halachic (Jewish law) standards are followed. These include Taharah (ritual washing of the body), Tachrichim (funeral shroud), use of a wooden casket and a Shomer to watch over the body and recite from the Book of Psalms until the Funeral service. To make your burden easier, New City Jewish Center has published a set of guidelines so that all synagogue members can easily order Halachically correct funeral arrangements. These guidelines are available from the New City Jewish Center office.

The congregation considers it a mitzvah to assist the bereaved family in a number of ways. The funeral service for synagogue members may be held in one of the New City Jewish Center sanctuaries for a fee. The Rabbis will make every effort to be available for funerals of non-dues paying parents or other extended family members. Please contact the synagogue office concerning the honorarium. The traditional Meal of Consolation (Se’udat Havra’ah) immediately following the funeral will be provided by the Sisterhood for members who return to their homes in the county, if requested of the Rabbis. Twice daily religious services are held at the synagogue where mourners can pray and recite Kaddish. If desired, synagogue members will serve as leaders for the minyan each evening in the house of shiva. Yearly notices of Yahrtzeit will be sent and an Aliyah will be offered the week of the anniversary of the death on days when the Torah is read.

Please keep in mind, your New City Jewish Center family wants to be helpful at your time of need. We encourage you to contact the New City Jewish Center office regarding your practical, religious or spiritual needs.

New City Jewish Center has devised the following guidelines that may be brought with you to the funeral home, in order to assure that Jewish funerals reflect the dignity and sanctity of Jewish tradition according maximum honor to the deceased. Please refer to the Guide to Jewish Funeral Practice published by the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism for a more detailed explanation on each of these items.

Contact the Rabbis at the synagogue office before making funeral arrangements to coordinate an appropriate time and place for the funeral and to discuss any unique issues (e.g., autopsy and organ donation).

Contact the funeral home to make arrangements. Here are the essential elements of a Jewish funeral:

• Shomrim (guards)
  The deceased should not be left alone before burial. The funeral home can arrange for a Shomer (someone who watches over the body and recites from the Book of Psalms) to be present with the deceased until the funeral service. Arrangements for a Shomer should be made as soon as possible.
• Taharah (ritual washing of the body)
  Just as a newborn child is immediately washed and enters this world clean and pure, so one departing this world is cleansed and made pure through the ritual called Taharah - purification.
• Tachrichim (funeral shroud)
  These simple hand made white cotton or linen shrouds symbolize purity, simplicity and dignity.
• Wooden casket
  “For dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return” (Genesis 3:19), is the guiding principle in the selection of caskets. The sages did not consider expense a barometer of honor to the dead, therefore, a simple wooden casket accords the greatest dignity to the deceased.

Some funeral homes may offer these services which are not in keeping with Jewish practice:

• Above ground burial
• Cremation
• Embalming