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, Salem Fields and Beth-El, feature a meticulously cultivated and maintained landscape that is rich with mature trees, flowering bushes and verdant lawns. 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, call 888-427-7535, or visit salemfieldscemetery.org.