The Sinai Temple Guide to Jewish Mourning and Condolence _______________________ When Death Occurs: Immediate Steps For those who have just suffered a loss, here’s a quick outline of immediate steps to take, with links to relevant portions of the full Guide to Jewish Mourning and Condolence: 1. Call a Jewish Funeral Director to arrange for pick-up of the body. To learn the available times for the funeral contact Sinai Temple’s Mount Sinai Memorial Parks and Mortuaries (cemetery property must be purchased if not already arranged for pre-need). Inform the Funeral Director if you are interested in Chevra Kadisha performed by the Sinai Temple Chevra Kadisha. For more information about the Sinai Temple Chevra Kadisha, please contact Lisa Lainer at 310-936-8867/
[email protected] or Ralph Resnick at 310-481- 3201/
[email protected]. 2. Call the Sinai Temple office (310-474-1518) to inform the clergy and staff, and to learn the availability of the Rabbis to conduct the funeral. You should ask for the Rabbis’ assistants: Rebecca Begin or Ellen Pierson. If your call is after hours, one should call the Sinai Temple answering service at: (310) 301-2923. A rabbi will return your phone call. 3. Based upon these initial calls, arrange for a time for the funeral. 4. Have your Havurah, friends, or family or hospice volunteer make calls to family and friends with the funeral information. 5. If not already arranged for pre-need, purchase the coffin. 6. Have your Havurah, close friends, family or hospice volunteer arrange for the Shivah Meals.