Death and Mourning

Offering comfort, tradition, and community in times of loss.

A majestic stone archway with ornate design marks the entrance to a Jewish cemetery, surrounded by lush green trees and well-tended grass beneath a clear blue sky. A respectful black iron gate with signage limits vehicle entry, highlighting the sacredness of the space.

Death and Mourning

At Temple Emanu-El, we are here to support you through life’s most difficult moments. In times of death and mourning, our clergy and community provide comfort, guidance, and sacred rituals that honor your loved one and uphold Jewish tradition.

Whether you are planning a funeral or memorial service, sitting shiva, or marking a yahrzeit, our clergy will walk beside you with compassion and care. We help families create services that reflect the life and values of their loved one, whether in our Sanctuary, Chapel, at a funeral home, or graveside.

We also offer ongoing support after the funeral, helping mourners find connection and healing through community, ritual, and remembrance.

Except for holidays, our telephone receptionist is available Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Should a death occur during these hours, please call the synagogue at 212-744-1400 and ask to be connected to the Temple Administrative Office, informing the receptionist that you are calling about a death.

After hours and on weekends or holidays, please select “Option 1” from the main menu and tell the person who answers that you are a Temple Emanu-El member.

Our Cemeteries

Emanu-El’s cemeteries, Salem Fields and Beth-El, feature a meticulously cultivated and maintained landscape that is rich with mature trees, flowering bushes and verdant lawns. In harmony with this natural beauty is an array of handsome mausoleums and monuments belonging to many well-known Jewish families.

In addition, a Russian Community Memorial Garden was incorporated into Beth-El Cemetery in 2005. The garden pays tribute to Jewish Russian war veterans, their families and loved ones lost during World War II. At the center of the garden is a monument representing the Star of David, topped with an obelisk and a sculpture of an eternal flame.

A Range of Options

Plots are available at Salem Fields and Beth-El for individuals or families in a variety of attractively landscaped locations. These sites can accommodate many different forms of markers or monuments. Above-ground crypts and niche mausoleum spaces also are available.

Prices reflect the size and location of the site. In all cases, price includes an endowment for maintenance of the plot. Whatever your budget, we will seek to find an appropriate option.

Selecting a Plot
Selecting a burial site is an important aspect of the estate-planning process. For an appointment to visit Salem Fields and Beth-El cemeteries or to obtain additional information, contact our funeral manager or call 888-427-7535.

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