Bereavement Committee
Bereavement Committee
A component of Hineini: The Temple Isaiah Caring Community
Please notify the temple office immediately upon the death of a family member so that we can offer support and assistance. The temple's answering service can reach our clergy for you after normal business hours. Inform the temple's staff or answering service that there has been a death.
The following documents provide advice on spiritual and practical aspects of dealing with the death of your loved one.
The Bereavement Committee consoles those who have suffered a loss and facilitates the bereavement process, in keeping with Jewish tradition and Temple Isaiah custom, at the time of a loved-one’s death. The committee will 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:
- setting up an “Isaiah Plan” with funeral directors—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
- contacting friends and relatives who can help in setting up meals and in other preparations for the funeral and shiva period
- helping to arrange for leaders to conduct shiva minyans in mourners’ homes
- helping to arrange for housesitters on the day of the funeral
- coordinating the training of shiva minyan leaders
- providing educational materials and occasional programs to help families understand and prepare for future losses
For further information, email Bereavement Committee Co-Chairs Carol Sacerdote and Bonnie Kelly.
