Cremation or burial
Most families face this question at the worst possible moment, with very little time. If that’s where you are right now, please call us before you read anything else: 408-910-2034.
What Jewish tradition asks for
Jewish tradition calls for burial in the earth. That is what a traditional Jewish funeral is built around, and it is why the arrangements we help families make include a kosher casket and a grave.
Families choose otherwise for real reasons: cost, distance, what a parent said years ago, what a spouse expects, what seems simplest in a week when nothing is simple. If your family has already made a different decision, or is leaning that way, you are not less welcome here and nothing you have decided disqualifies you from anything. We would still like to talk with you.
What we can do
We can walk you through every step — the Rabbi to officiate, the funeral home, a kosher casket, and the arrangements in between. We can also just explain how a traditional Jewish funeral works, with no expectation that you decide anything on the call. Afterwards there is help with saying Kaddish, sitting shiva, and the yartzeit.
No membership is required — every Jew is a member. Call 408-910-2034 any time, day or night, or email Info@chabadalmaden.com.
Learning more
The South Bay Chevrah Kadisha and the Chabad centers of San Jose have presented a talk on this question, “Cremation or Burial: A Jewish View.” Ask us and we’ll point you to it, or to someone who can answer the specific question you have.
If you’d rather write than call, tell us what’s going on and we’ll reach out.
Other lifecycle moments are on the lifecycles page.