Caring Services from a Jewish Funeral Home in East Brunswick, NJ
Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels pride themselves on providing the best services possible to the families we serve. Our Jewish funeral home is a family-owned and operated business. We take pride in serving East Brunswick and our surrounding communities of Monroe Township, Marlboro, Manalapan, and Princeton, New Jersey. We are a family-owned and operated business, established in the early 1980s, and voted as THE BEST JEWISH FUNERAL HOME in central new jersey by the readers of the home news tribune. Our dedicated staff is trained to help you prepare for the future, guide you through a loss of a loved one, the unique stages of mourning in the Jewish tradition, and everything in between. You may call us at (732) 390-9199 for more information.
Planning a funeral is a delicate task because you need services that will support the traditions and religious beliefs of the family. If you are looking for a Jewish funeral home in East Brunswick, NJ, then our team here at Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels is here to help. We are a locally owned, family-operated funeral home that caters services to match Jewish traditions.
Whether you are planning a full traditional Jewish funeral, or you want a custom service instead, we are here to help. We understand the Jewish customs and traditions, and our team is available to support you with anything that you need.
Jewish Funeral Customs
There are a variety of customs that should be considered if you are planning a Jewish funeral. Some of these traditions include:
- Time of Burial: The Jewish custom and law encourage the burial to happen as soon as possible. The best solution is to have the burial complete within 24 hours of death. If it isn’t possible to complete the burial at this time, then it is important to finish the arrangements right away.
- Funeral Location: When planning a location, choose a place that will show respect for the deceased. Usually, the services are held at the Synagogue, funeral home, or at the graveside before the burial. The funeral home is often the choice of families because of the convenience and comfort of the location. Typically, the service will only be held in the Synagogue if the custom permits and the deceased was an active member.
- Preparation: There are a few things that should be done before the funeral. It is common for the family to meet with the Rabbi to provide the necessary information for the eulogy. Also, there is paperwork that needs to be completed. So, it is best to arrive at least 45 minutes before the funeral is scheduled to begin.
- Clothing: Most guests don’t need to wear specific attire. The recommendation is to dress in clothing that is appropriate to commemorate the life of your loved one. If you choose to do a traditional k’riyah, then our funeral home can provide the ribbons for cutting.
- Burial Garments: The tradition is to bury the body in a linen suit, often including the pants, shirt, and cap. These burial clothes symbolize the equality of all before the Creator. The design is modeled after the clothing that the High Priest wore in the Holy Temple on Yom Kippur.
- Attendees: According to Jewish tradition, the funeral is a necessary and important part of the cycle of life. As such, it is viewed as an educational opportunity for children. Adults and children are invited to attend. But, you should make the decision based on what will be best for your children and family.
- Cemetery Practices: When the family arrives at the cemetery, it is the most important part of the Jewish funeral. All family members should be in attendance if possible. The procession moves to the gravesite, with the casket being accompanied by friends and family. Then, the casket is lowered. Each person is invited to participate in the burial by adding a shovel of dirt into the grave. The Rabbi oversees the event and guides the activities, such as prayers to and words of mourning.
Here at Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, we understand that every family has different preferences for the event. We are here to accommodate the Jewish traditions as well as any other family traditions that you would like to use.
What are the Stages of Jewish Mourning?
If you are following Jewish tradition, then there are several stages of mourning that will be considered for the funeral services. The first stage is aninut, which is the time from death to burial. Traditionally, the time should be less than 24 hours if possible. Next, shiva is the seven days of mourning, with the first day being the time of burial. Seloshim is the next stage of mourning, and it lasts for 30 days. Parents continue their mourning with Yud-be chosesh which is a year of mourning according to the Hebrew calendar. Finally, Yahrzeit is the anniversary date of the death.
Full-Service Funeral Home
Here at Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels, we offer the full-service funeral options that you desire. Whether you have an immediate need for funeral services or you are planning for the future, we are here to help. You will see that our services include everything that might be required, such as cremation burial, options, or a celebration of life.
Do you have questions about the Jewish funeral tradition? Feel free to call us anytime for more information. We provide Jewish funeral services in East Brunswick, NJ, and the nearby cities. Mount Sinai Memorial Chapels is located at 454 Cranbury Road (at Evergreen Blvd.), East Brunswick, NJ 08816. You can call if you would like to schedule a consultation: (800) 395-9199 or (732) 390-9199
Funeral and Cremation FAQs
Is it possible to have a service in the Synagogue?
If the deceased had been an active member of a Synagogue, and local custom permits, the service might take place in the Synagogue. Our staff and your Rabbi will be able to advise you. Learn more about burial service options for a loved one.
How to decide on the size of an urn for cremated remains?
The size of an adult urn we recommend is 200 cubic inches or approximately the size of a one-gallon paint can. Learn more on how to choose the perfect urn for your loved ones.
Benefits of funeral preplanning?
One of the best benefits of planning ahead is the impact on your family. In planning your wishes ahead of time, you relieve the burden of your loved ones. In a time of grief and stress, making very difficult decisions are the last thing that anyone wants. Second-guessing what you wanted creates extra stress. Preplanning your funeral makes emotional sense. It is one of the greatest gifts you can give to those you love most. Read more about the benefits of funeral preplanning.
