Death and Mourning

"At a time of joy, be joyous.

At a time of mourning, mourn."

Genesis Rabbah 27:7

Serious Illness

In cases of serious illness, when the person may not recover, it is proper to notify the rabbi, no matter what the time of day or night. The rabbi is there to serve you and your family by providing comfort, counseling, and appropriate prayers for the dying. See the "Contact Us" page for information on how to notify the rabbi.

When Death Occurs

When there is a death, whether local or outside the North Adams area, please immediately notify the rabbi, the congregation (413-663-5830), or Flynn & Dagnolli Funeral Home (413-663-6523). In most cases, the rabbi will meet with members of the family as soon as possible to counsel them through the funeral process and to learn their wishes.

Planning the Funeral

In Jewish tradition, funerals take place as soon after death as possible, usually one or two days. However, there often are circumstances that require some delay - particularly the need to wait for out-of-town relatives to arrive. Jewish tradition requires that funerals not take place on Shabbat and holidays. Funeral services can take place either in the synagogue followed by internment at the cemetery, or the entire service can take place in the cemetery by the graveside.

Directions to Beth Israel Cemetery

The cemetery is always open to the public. It is located on a beautiful hillside overlooking the Berkshire Mountains. From State Road (Rte. 2) in downtown North Adams, travel east. At the intersection with Main St. and Walker St., turn sharply left (north) onto Walker St. Stay on Walker St. for about a mile. (You will enter the town of Clarksburg). The cemetery is on the left just by Brooks Heights, which is on the right. For a map, click here

Sitting Shiva

Many people are anxious about being a host in their home right after suffering a loss. However, the custom of sitting shiva is intended to be a source of comfort, not anxiety. Mourners in shiva need not act as hosts; rather, it is the community that hosts and cares for the mourners in their own home. Shiva usually begins with a "Meal of Comfort," which gives the community its first chance to express condolences. While shiva usually is observed for seven days - a practice that is encouraged when possible - some choose to shorten it to fewer days. Shiva also may be shortened by the occurrence of a Jewish holiday.

Advice for Visitors

It is not appropriate to make condolence calls to mourners before the funeral. However, attending funerals and paying shiva visits are among the most important mitzvot (sacred obligations) of Jewish life. A visit to a shiva house is usually not long - an hour or so. Weekday services are usually held in a shiva house, often including an opportunity for mourners and visitors to share remembrances. It is appropriate to bring food, but not flowers. As a visitor to a shiva house, allow the mourners to set the tone. Conversation, story telling, laughter, tears and silence can all be appropriate at a shiva house when they are initiated by mourners. Your job as a visitor is to be present and caring.

Hevra Kaddisha

Our congregation is served by a Hevra Kaddisha (burial society) of members who volunteer for this honor. The Hevra Kaddisha consists of two groups - one for men and one for women - who undertake the sacred task of preparing the dead for burial in the ritual of taharah. We encourage all Jewish members of CBI to volunteer to serve in this sacred obligation. For more information, see our Hevra Kaddisha page here.

Monuments and Unveilings

The Cemetery Committee should be consulted before a monument is ordered to assure that it is of appropriate size and style. An unveiling ceremony is customary one year after death. It is a meaningful opportunity for family to gather in remembrance. Contact the rabbi at least a month before the desired date to arrange for an unveiling.

Interfaith Families

We maintain separate sections of the cemetery where Jews and non-Jews may be buried together and sections in which only Jews may be buried. Non-denominational funeral services for non-Jewish members may be conducted in the synagogue and at our cemetery. See the "Outreach" page for more information on our policies for including interfaith families.

Reservation of Plots

Cemetery plots may be reserved by members of CBI only for a $750 fee. Reserved plots may be used for the purchaser, a spouse or minor children.

Death and Mourning at CBI

oil painting by Drury High School student Brianna Groves

A Book of Life is a guide to our practices around dying, death, and grieving. This book is the culmination of many months of work by CBI's Cemetery Committee.

Death is the great unknown at the end of every life. While this booklet can't guide you beyond that mystery, it offers guidance and instruction for the time leading up to a death, and for the path which mourners walk afterwards. Here you will find information about how to prepare (logistically and spiritually) for death, and what should be done by the family of one who has died.

I urge you to read it, even if you don't think it's relevant to you at this time. And please keep it on hand, so that if and when it becomes needful, you'll have it. Please also know that it will always be available in the frame below on the CBI website as a downloadable pdf, so if you lose your copy, another is easily available.

If this booklet raises questions for you, either logistical or spiritual, don't hesitate to reach out to me.

I wish you every blessing.

Rabbi Rachel Barenblat

May 2013 / Iyyar 5773

Cemetery Committee Chair - Jane Miller

Congregation Beth Israel Interment Fee Schedule and other general information

In order to be a “member in good standing” all financial obligations to the Congregation must be current. If a congregant has an outstanding financial obligation at the time of the death, that obligation may be paid prior to the funeral or else charges will be assessed at the non-member rate.

The following are considered family members covered under a membership, and member rates will be applied for: heads of household, spouse, unmarried children under 26, children who are unable to support themselves due to disability.

FEES FOR INTERMENT AT CBI CEMETERY

For CBI members in good standing , two separate payments as follows:

Funeral home portion payable to Flynn and Dagnoli Funeral Homes.

$2,950.00

Synagogue portion payable to Congregation Beth Israel:

CBI member for 5 yrs or more

$4145.00

Membership at CBI up to 5 yrs.

$ 4,595.00

Membership at CBI up to 4 yrs.

$6,595.00

Membership at CBI up to 3 yrs.

$8,595.00

Membership at CBI up to 2 yrs.

$10,595.00

Membership at CBI up to 1 year

$12,595.00

NOTE: THESE FEES APPLY TO CURRENT AND CONSECUTIVE MEMBERSHIP ONLY

For non-members or members not in good standing, payable in two separate payments as follows:

Synagogue portion payable to Congregation Beth Israel $14,795.00

Funeral home portion payable to Flynn and Dagnoli Funeral Homes $ 2,950.00

ALL FEES ARE DUE WITHIN 30 DAYS OF BURIAL AND INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

From Flynn and Dagnoli Funeral Homes

Professional services

Facilities and supervision

Transfer of remains

Use of hearse

Use of two limousines

Service car

Standard casket

Burial permit

NOTE: Long-distance transportation (over 20 miles) of the deceased is NOT included in fees.

From Congregation Beth Israel:

Opening and closing of grave

Preparation of gravesite includes:

Ritual set up and all associated burial tasks

Supervision and administration

Ritual supplies

Lot and perpetual care

Chevra Kadisha

Rabbi or other Congregation representative conducting service

Use of synagogue facilities ($250.00 waived if graveside only)

FEES FOR SERVICE AT CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL WITH INTERMENT ELSEWHERE:

Members in good standing

$1,000.00

Non-member

$1,800.00

Fees above include the following:

From Congregation Beth Israel

Rabbinic services

Ritual supplies

Chevra Kadisha

Use of synagogue facilities

FEES FOR PREPAID FUNERAL AT CONGREGATION BETH ISRAEL

(AVAILABLE FOR MEMBERS in good standing for 5 YEARS OR MORE):

Synagogue portion payable to Congregation Beth Israel:

CBI member for 5 yrs or more

$4325.00*

*NOTE: If membership is not maintained, the $4325.00 will be deducted from the non-member fee at time of funeral.

FEES ASSOCIATED WITH CREMATED REMAINS:

There is a separate area in the Congregation Beth Israel Cemetery for interment of cremated remains for members in good standing for 5 years or more.

Synagogue portion payable to Congregation Beth Israel:

CBI member for 5 yrs or more

$3,260.00

RESERVATION OF PLOTS:

$750.00

1. Cemetery plots may be reserved only by Congregation members in good standing. A non-refundable reservation fee will secure a particular plot within the cemetery subject to religious regulations applicable to that section of the cemetery. At the time of the burial $500 of the reservation fee will be credited to the applicable member’s funeral fees. No transfer of plot or plots reserved may be made to another member of the Congregation without the written consent and approval of the Committee. No transfer can, in any event, be made to any person or persons who are not members of the congregation.

GENERAL

All matters not covered within these regulations shall be referred for decision to the Cemetery Committee, the Rabbi of the Congregation, and, if required, the Board. The authority of Jewish law as interpreted by the Rabbi of the Congregation will remain the determining factor for all matters relating to care of the dead, funeral services, burial procedures, unveilings, and all related issues.

This document and the attached schedule of fees, which are adopted and approved by the Committee and by the Board, are subject to change. Other fees are subject to review and change as recommended by the Committee and approved by the Board.

These rules and regulations were adopted by the Committee at a meeting on _October 22, 2017_______________.

These rules and regulations have been approved by the Board on October, 2017_________________

Book_Of_Life.pdf