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Ohr Kodesh is prepared to provide all possible guidance and assistance to members during this difficult time.

When a death occurs:

  • Please contact one of the designated Funeral Coordinators for the month before contacting a funeral home or making arrangements. Coordinators from the Chevra Kadisha (Funeral Practices) Committee will be assigned to assist the bereaved family. 
  • Contact Rabbi Helfand or the Ohr Kodesh office first: 301-589-3880 (days) or 301-587-6669 (evenings). Rabbi Helfand prefers that he be contacted prior to contacting a funeral home or making other funeral commitments in order to counsel the bereaved family concerning traditional Jewish practices.
  • Please refrain from making funeral arrangements on Shabbat.  The rabbi or Funeral Practices Committee coordinator should be contacted immediately following Shabbat.

Funeral Homes and Burial Arrangements

  • Ohr Kodesh, via the Jewish Funeral Practices of Greater Washington, has  a contract with a local funeral home (Hines Rinaldi) for a simple, authentically Jewish funeral at a pre-determined cost.  The current contract is available here
  • The Ohr Kodesh Board of Directors permits members to hold traditional funerals in its sanctuary or chapel.  A traditional funeral must include taharahtachrichim, a closed wooden coffin, and a Jewish services devoid of flowers and instrumental music.
  • An Ohr Kodesh member is entitled to the broad range of the Chevra Kadisha (Funeral Practices Committee) services (funeral coordination and liaison with the funeral home, taharahshmirah, minyan, use of the sanctuary/chapel, services of the rabbi and cantor) for funeral arrangements for the member's spouse, child or parent. 
  • The Funeral Practices Committee will provide shmirah for up to two full days for deaths of these member relatives, (and for additional days if burial is delayed for more than two days because of Shabbat or yom tov).  The committee can arrange for additional shmirah on request of the bereaved family, with the understanding that the family will be responsible for any associated costs for the additional shmirah.
  • Members can be assisted with arrangements for the death of a sibling by offering the current contract funeral package, by requesting shmirah and taharah on behalf of the family through community resources, and by arranging for use of the sanctuary/chapel, and shivah minyan through the Funeral Practices Committee.
Sat, November 2 2024 1 Cheshvan 5785