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Planning The Funeral

Temple Beth-El has worked with Johns Ridout to provide a funeral in keeping with the Jewish law and standards for the conservative movement. Primarily this means that the body shall be washed and prepared for burial, wrapped in a linen burial shroud. (Tachrichim) The Chevra Kadisha, comprising members of the synagogue who have made this service their special mitzvah, performs this service,

Temple Beth-El has arranged a reasonable standard purchase price for all funerals for members. The price includes care of the body after it is brought to the funeral home by the Chevra Kadisha. The price also includes a beautiful wooden casket and a modified dome, which covers the casket but still meets Halachic requirements. Johns Ridout will prepare an obituary or you may prepare your own, submitting it through Johns Ridout to the Birmingham News. The price for the obituary will vary depending on the number of inches utilized in copy.

In addition, Johns Ridout will, on the day of the funeral, be responsible for providing a speaker system, podium, guest book, yamulkes and a shiva candle. Arrangements for opening the grave and for tent rental is made with Elmwood Cemetery. If the family chooses to sit with the body and to have visitation before the funeral, Johns Ridout will provide a private parlor.

The family has several options for the actual funeral service. They may opt to hold a simple graveside service at the cemetery with the Rabbi and the Cantor conducting the service. The second option is for a more formal service in one of the parlors at Johns Ridout. The funeral home offers rooms of varying sizes to meet the needs for a large group or smaller ones. A graveside service will follow at the cemetery. The family may choose to have police escort for which they will pay separately.

In the third option, the family may request because of the size of expected attendance or inclement weather that the service be held in the main sanctuary at Temple Beth-El. Arrangements must be made with the Rabbi, the Temple Executive Director and the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Special fees are required for use of facilities. This service will also be followed by a graveside service and the family may choose whether to have police escort.