Death and Bereavement

When A Death Occurs

Contact a member of the Beth El clergy:

• • Rabbi Harris: 301-928-7288
  • Rabbi Megdal: 240-781-8689
  • Hazzan Fradkin: 240-543-0218

If you are unable to reach the clergy, you may contact the Beth El office at 301-652-2606 or pastoral@bethelmc.org. Response times may be delayed over Shabbat or a Jewish holiday.

The clergy can help in many ways and will guide you through the next steps:

• • contacting a funeral home
  • discussing and arranging the funeral service
  • helping to understand Jewish burial and mourning practices
  • getting in touch with the Chevra Kadisha, if desired
  • acquiring a cemetery plot, if one has not already been purchased.
  • coordinating Shiva and providing minyan leaders and siddurim
  • gathering information for the condolence notice to go out to the congregation
  • providing emotional support and guidance, and offering spiritual leadership

Jewish funeral and mourning practices have developed over centuries. Many people comment that the guidance offered by Jewish tradition was extremely helpful and provided support during the difficult time of loss. The rituals for families and friends have been developed to address the feelings of intense grief that the death of a loved brings. People are often overcome with feelings of hurt, loss, anger, guilt, or listlessness. The Jewish way of mourning lessens the loneliness and isolation of the bereaved and brings the individual into a community of comforters.

Please click on the buttons below for more information.

Funeral Homes

Cemeteries 

From the Time of Death to the Funeral

The Day of the Burial

The Periods of Mourning

Unveiling Ceremony

Unveiling Ceremony Booklet

Resources