Family Loss

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May the Almighty grant His divine comfort to the bereaved in their sorrow.

Jewish tradition handles the end of life with laws and customs that are guided by wisdom and compassion. When coupled with the loving care of family and friends, the clergy and community of Congregation Shaar Hashomayim can help provide comfort and guidance at a time that can be very stressful and distressing.

Before Death

In Jewish tradition, the end of life is a time of comfort and prayer. Upon request, a member of our clergy will sit, pray, and comfort your loved one in the final days or hours of life.

Please contact the Rabbi’s office at 514-937-9474 ext.143.

At the Time of Death

In the event of the death of a member or relative, please contact Paperman and Sons – www.paperman.com or 514-733-7101. They will coordinate arrangements for the funeral and burial with our clergy. Please feel free to contact the Rabbi directly for guidance or comfort at this time. Once the funeral arrangements have been made with the funeral home, the family meets with the rabbi to coordinate the details of the service and to provide the rabbi with information to be used in the eulogy.

Shiva

All of the ritual objects required for shiva observance (chairs, prayer books, and candles) will be provided by the funeral home. It is customary to put a basin of water outside the home on the first day of shiva for those returning from the cemetery. In the meeting prior to the funeral, the rabbi will review the various laws that relate to the shiva home.

Congregation Shaar Hashomayim can arrange for daily prayers to take place in the house of Shiva. If the family requires assistance leading the prayers, they will be led by our clergy and by a team of volunteer lay leaders.

Kaddish

According to Jewish law, children of the deceased recite kaddish for 11 months following the burial; All other relations recite kaddish for 30 days.

Congregation Shaar Hashomayim conducts morning, afternoon, and evening services on every day of the year. Kaddish is recited at each of these services.

Our minyan group is a very special community full of warmth and mutual support. At minyan, mourners can find comfort in one another, clergy, and community volunteers.

If you are not familiar with the Kaddish prayer, a member of our clergy will review it with you. Additionally, a transliterated Kaddish is available in our prayer books to ensure that everyone who wishes to has the opportunity to recite Kaddish.

View our Daily Service Times.

Commemoration Opportunities

Many mourners choose to mark the culmination of the Sheloshim (first 30 days of mourning), the culmination of the eleven-month kaddish period, and/or a yahrzeit (Hebrew calendar anniversary of death) by sponsoring a Shabbat congregational kiddush or breakfast after the morning minyan.

Another traditional way of honouring the memory of a loved one is by purchasing a memorial plaque for display on our memorial boards.