Rabbi Edelkopf is available to assist you with any end of life issues, the loss of a loved one, or the arrangements associated therewith.
Rabbi Edelkopf has relationships with the following Jewish cemeteries in Long Island:
Mt. Ararat Cemetery Address: Route 109 (Farmingdale Road), East of Southern State Parkway, Farmingdale, New York (Suffolk County) Phone: 631.957.2277
Beth Moses Jewish Cemetery Address: Wellwood Ave. - Farmingdale, NY 11735 (Suffolk County). Phone:631.249.2290
New Montefiore Jewish Cemetery Address: 1180 Wellwood Ave. - West Babylon, NY 11704. Phone: 631.249.7000
Wellwood Jewish Cemetery Address: Pinelawn Road Farmingdale, NY 11735 (Suffolk County). Phone: 631.249.2300 or 212.947.5425
The Jewish funeral service is a brief and simple service designed primarily asyekara d'schichba—for the honor and dignity of the deceased. The worthy values he lived by, the good deeds he performed, and the noble aspects of his character are eulogized. The function of the eulogy is not to comfort the bereaved, although by highlighting the good and the beautiful in the life of the departed it affords an implicit consolation for the mourners. There is also great psychological benefit from the funeral service itself although this, too, is not its primary purpose. It enables many friends and relatives to participate in the situation of bereavement and thus relieve the terrible loneliness of the mourners. In addition, since it not only praises the deceased, but also confronts all who attend with the terrible fact of their own mortality, it impels them to "consider their days," to take stock and live their lives creatively. The service consists of a recitation of selected Psalms appropriate to the life of the deceased, a panegyric of his finer qualities which his survivors should seek to implant in their own lives, and a Memorial Prayer asking that God shelter his soul "on the wings of His Divine presence."
After the Funeral Service
Halacha (Jewish Law) and Custom dictate the specific practices for mourners, including but not limited to sitting Shiva, recitation of Kaddish and the unveiling of the monument. The family members of the deceased “sit Shiva” for a period of seven (7) days beginning on the day of the funeral service. During Shiva, the mourners are prohibited from working, shaving, getting haircuts or wearing or purchasing new clothing. Kaddish is recited in each of the daily prayer services provided a minyan is present. Rabbi Edelkopf is available to lead prayer services at the Shiva House, and has siddurim (prayer books) with full linear English translation at the ready. If you wish to have a minyan for morning services (shacharit) on a Monday or Thursday, Rabbi Edelkopf will bring a Torah Scroll for the Torah Service Due to the day-to-day strictures of suburban life, the locally accepted practice is for most non-mourners to make a “Shiva Call” at the Shiva House in the evening. As with all other prayer services, in order for Kaddish to be recited during the evening prayer service of Maariv, in the presence of a minyan. As it is an extraordinary mitzvah to comfort a mourner, many people pay their respects to the bereaved in the evening, yet there are still times where there are not enough men to comprise a minyan. Rabbi Edelkopf will request that members of our shul daven the maariv service at the Shiva house to complete a minyan.
Kaddish
The deceased’s immediate surviving relatives are expected to recite Kaddish daily throughout the eleven (11) month period of mourning. This mitzvah(obligation) may be assigned to a Shliach(an emissary or agent) if the surviving relative is unable to fulfill the mitzvah. The Shliach receives a nominal fee for providing their services. Rabbi Edelkopf will gladly make all of the necessary arrangements involved so this important mitzvah is fulfilled.
The Unveiling Service
The Unveiling Service, held graveside, is the formal dedication of the monument, and may be held anytime between the end of Shiva and the first Yahrzeit(the anniversary of the death). The Unveiling Service consists of the recitation of several psalms, a eulogy, removal of the veil from the monument, the malei rachamimprayer and Kaddish. In the event that there is no minyan present, the unveiling may proceed, but Kaddish cannot be recited.
Additional Considerations
The recitation of the Mourner’s Kaddish Prayer (known simply as “Kaddish”) is an integral part of the Jewish Funeral Service. Reciting Kaddish requires a minyan (a quorum) of ten (10) or more Jewish men. Should you know in advance that you will or may require additional men to complete a minyan, Rabbi Edelkopf will make the necessary arrangements in advance of the funeral services, thereby ensuring that there are no unanticipated issues on the day of the funeral. In this day and age, it is often impossible for many of us to take time off from work, even to attend a funeral. Accordingly, Rabbi Edelkopf enlists the services of Rabbinical Students (“Bochurim”) to participate in the funeral minyan. Please note that there is an expectation that the Bochurim receive compensation for their services and to cover their travel expenses. Often, the need arises for assistance in locating a deceased’s gravesite and/or translation of the Hebrew or Yiddish engraving on a monument. Being familiar with all of the Jewish Cemeteries from the Brooklyn and Queens boarders with Long Island, eastbound. For a Minyan at the Cemeteries Click Here
Contact Rabbi Edelkopf at (516) 798-0757 or via e-mail at rabbi@jewishsouthbay.com with any questions or comments you may have.
