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Ask the Funeral Director – FAQs

Eliza Feller • Oct 01, 2013

There are many questions people have about Jewish mourning customs and the process of arranging funerals. On our website we have attempted to address the most common questions with our “Ask the Funeral Director FAQ”. What do I … Continue reading →

  • What do I do when my loved one passes away?
  • What should I bring when making funeral arrangements?
  • My family member lives out of state, but wants to be buried in Baltimore. What should I do when he/she passes away?
  • What if the burial is to take place out of state?
  • Is there a difference when a death occurs at home rather than in a hospital or nursing home? Will someone come right away?
  • My parent is going into a nursing home. I was advised that I could reduce their assets by pre-funding funeral expenses. How do I go about that?
  • Does the funeral service need to be held within 24 hours after someone passes away?
  • I can’t decide if I should have a chapel or graveside service. What should I consider?
  • I am not Jewish. What should I expect at the funeral? Is there a viewing?
  • Do you accept flowers? What is appropriate to send to the funeral home or shiva house?
  • I’m arriving from out of town for a funeral service. What transportation is available from the train station? From BWI Airport? How long a trip is it?
  • My family member has passed away. Should I wear a kriah ribbon? Where do I wear it?
  • I am planning an unveiling. Does Sol Levinson & Bros. assist with that? How do I go about planning?
  • I want to find the cemetery where my family member is buried. They passed away many years ago. Do you have that information?
  • I want to order a Yahrzeit calendar. How do I get one?
  • I need additional death certificates. Can you order those for me?
  • How do I choose pallbearers? How many should we have? How old must they be? What is the difference between active and honorary pallbearers?
  • What Social Security benefits may I be entitled to?
  • I served in the military. Are there Veteran’s benefits that I may be entitled to? How do I plan for military honors at the funeral and graveside?
  • Where is the shiva house? Do you have directions?
  • What are the days and times for shiva services?
  • Where can I call to get my loved one’s Hebrew name?
  • The headstone is knocked over at the cemetery. Who do I call for assistance?

If you have any questions that you do not see here or there are any important topics you feel we have not covered, please contact us.

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Holiday seasons are always challenging, whether a loved one has died in the past year or if it has been many years since they've been gone. As we approach the holidays of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot, there are many opportunities to honor someone's memory and acknowledge the loss you have experienced. Intentionally planning to incorporate some of these practices helps us gain the most benefit from this special time of the year. All of the following are open to adjustment based on your needs. Visit the grave of a loved one - Many people plan to visit a grave before Rosh Hashanah and/or between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Some use it to "tell" their loved one everything that has happened the past year, or just spend some time at the cemetery. If you always did the crosswords together, sat and read, or something similar, there's no reason you can't do that at the cemetery. Plan an activity - Whether with family or on your own, do something that reminds you of the person. Cook a favorite dish, go for a hike or to a sporting event, volunteer at an organization they supported, attend a concert or the theater. Even if you do this solo, telling friends or family about it is a way to share that tradition with others. Seek out companionship - Not everyone has surviving family, they are not always nearby, or you may not be in touch with them. Whether you reach out to extended family or get together with the family you've created through friendships, commit to spending a little time with others. Share with them some of the activities mentioned above, memories of your loved one, or just a meal and some time together. Make a donation - Donate to a charity your loved one supported, or one dedicated to researching a cure for whatever illness they may have had. Attend a yizkor service - The yizkor memorial service takes place during two of the high holyday services. The first is on Yom Kippur, which falls on September 25. The second is on Shemini Atzeret (in non-Reform congregations), which falls on October 7. Service times vary by congregation and most are posted on their websites. Light a memorial candle - It is customary to light a small yahrzeit candle the evening before the yizkor services (the evenings of September 24 and October 6). Candles can typically be found in the kosher food section of most grocery stores and in synagogue gift shops. Honor your survival - No relationship is perfect. Sometimes there is residual anger over hurtful relationships, the cause of someone's death, unresolved interpersonal issues, et cetera. You are not expected to grieve a certain way, and some people are grieving more than a death. Whether you would benefit from a night away, a massage, a bucket list activity, a small but meaningful purchase - or some other way of acknowledging your specific grief - take some time to grant yourself compassion and honor for whatever point you've reached on your journey. As always, please don't hesitate to reach out to us about our Grief Support programs . The State of Maryland also has a page with links to Grief and Loss Resources . *If you are having a mental health crisis, please go to your nearest emergency room or call 911.*
By Eliza Feller 01 Sep, 2023
What decisions should you make ahead of time - for housing needs and funeral options - to ease the financial and emotional burdens on your family? Join us to find out! Thursday, September 28, 2023 7-8:30 pm Atrium Village 4730 Atrium Ct, Owings Mills 21117 Presenters: BethAnn Talbot, Family Ally at Compassionate Ally Eliza Feller, Director of Advance Planning at Levinson's Funeral Home Curious about the decision-making process for finding loved ones independent, assisted living and memory care forever homes? Interested in the myriad options that go into funeral preplanning? Looking to find ways to control the financial impact on your family of these future needs? We look forward to covering these topics in a pressure-free environment. Dessert and refreshments will be served. RSVP here by Friday, September 22 or 410-653-8900 Sponsored by Atrium Village, Compassionate Ally, and Sol Levinson Funeral Home.
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By Eliza Feller 08 Nov, 2022
Thursday, November 10 3:00-4:00 p.m. Registration required LOCATION Beth El Congregation, 8101 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21208 Agus Library Are you curious about long-standing funeral traditions, tales you’ve been told about who can be buried where or how, and modern options for end-of-life ceremonies? Join Levinson’s Director of Advance Planning, Eliza Feller, to learn about the decisions that go into planning a funeral and why advance planning can make an overwhelming time significantly easier on your family. Bring the questions you’ve always hesitated to ask - whether basic logistics, unusual circumstances, or simple curiosity. This event is hosted by the Rabbi Mark G. Loeb Center for Lifelong Learning at Beth El Congregation. As this is part of Beth El 's educational series, registration is required at https://www.bethelbalto.com/adults Beth El's fees for attendance are $18 for Beth El Congregation members and $36 for non-members
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