Bereavement Committee

The primary mission of the Bereavement Committee is to console those who have suffered a loss and to facilitate the bereavement process, in keeping with Jewish tradition and Temple Isaiah custom, at the time of a loved-one’s death. As soon as committee members are notified of a death within the Temple community, they contact the bereaved family to offer sympathy and support and to help facilitate the rituals, demands, and challenges of the funeral and mourning period. Key activities include the following:

	working with local funeral directors to set up an “Isaiah Plan”—a pre-selected casket and other details—to ease the burdens of decision-making at the time of a death
	expressing condolences on behalf of the congregation
	helping to arrange for leaders to conduct shiva minyans in mourners’ homes
	helping to arrange for housesitters on the day of the funeral
	contacting friends and relatives who can help in setting up meals and in other preparations for the funeral and shiva period
	coordinating the training of shiva minyan leaders
	providing educational materials and occasional programs to help families understand and prepare for future losses

Committee members meet every other month.

For further information, contact the co-chairs of the Bereavement Committee.