Information about Jewish Funeral Home Services in Cranbury, NJ
If you are preparing for a Jewish funeral in Cranbury, NJ, then it is important to choose a funeral home that understands the customs and traditions. Basic funeral services are helpful, but it can be a challenge to navigate the important customs that you want to include in the service. Instead of trying to manage these details by yourself, choose a funeral home that is already familiar with the traditions and can help with the planning.
Our team at Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels specializes in funeral services for the Jewish community. We have helped many families say goodbye to a loved one. If you are looking for an experienced team in the funeral industry, then we are here to help with anything that you need.
Not only will we support your desires to include Jewish traditions in the service, but we always cater the plans to the needs of your family. During the initial conversation, we will discuss options and help you choose the solution to match your desires. We know that there isn’t a single funeral plan to match every family. So, we are always here to offer the support and unique services that you need.
Jewish Funeral Customs to Consider for Your Event
As you are preparing for the funeral, there are a variety of customs that need to be considered. Ultimately, you need to choose details that will work for the needs of your family. These are some of the options that you might include:
- Timeframe for the Burial: It is best to have the body laid to rest within 24 hours of the burial. The goal is to complete the burial as soon as possible, according to Jewish custom and law. In some cases, exceptions are made if it isn’t possible to complete the burial in time.
- Location for the Funeral: Where should the funeral be held? Most Jewish funerals are held in a funeral home because of the convenience of the services that are available. But, some families choose to have the funeral in the Synagogue if the deceased was an active participant there. The Rabbi needs to provide permission for this location. The final option to consider is a full funeral in the cemetery.
- Children in Attendance: Is it appropriate for you to bring children to the funeral? Even though they are young and might not understand the event, it is often customary to have the entire family in attendance. A funeral can be an educational opportunity where children can learn about the cycle of life.
- Funeral Preparation: If you are planning the funeral, then you will need to arrive at least 45 minutes before the scheduled start time. There are a few pieces of paperwork that need to be reviewed and signed. Also, schedule a time to talk to the Rabbi before the event. You can share details about the deceased so that the Rabbi can include this information in the eulogy.
- Burial Clothing: There is no need to choose unique clothing if you are following Jewish customs for the burial. The tradition is to use white linen fabric, such as a shirt, pants, and cap. These clothes match those that are worn by the High Priest on Yom Kippur. Using the same funeral clothing shows the equality of all people.
Here at Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, we want to support your preferences for the funeral and graveside service. We invite you to schedule a funeral consultation to ensure that we provide everything that is needed for the traditional Jewish funeral.
Customs and Traditions at the Cemetery
The graveside service is viewed as the pinnacle of funeral activities. So, all family members are encouraged to attend this event. The graveside service is a way to honor the person that you have lost.
The Rabbi will be in attendance to oversee the activities in the cemetery. It starts when the family arrives with the casket. Then, everyone moves together as the casket is placed into the grave. Each person in attendance has an opportunity to add dirt to the grave using a shovel.
After this tradition, the Rabbi will recite traditional prayers. Finally, friends and family members line up to form a way for the immediate family to walk away from the grave. These two lines are formed with the people facing each other. The family members walk between the lines while listening to the comforting words shared by the others in attendance.
Jewish Funeral Traditions
The best way to learn more about these traditions is to talk to a Jewish funeral home. At Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, we offer funeral services in Cranbury, NJ, and the nearby areas. You can come to our funeral home at 454 Cranbury Road (at Evergreen Blvd.), East Brunswick, NJ 08816. Or, call if you have questions about the funeral services we offer: (800) 395-9199 or (732) 390-9199
