For over 100 years, Bernheim Apter Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel has earned an outstanding reputation for providing dignified, compassionate service to families at their time of need.

Our air-conditioned handicapped accessible Chapel is homelike, and soothing with comfortable traditional decor.

A Jewish Funeral

At Bernheim Apter Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, our experienced staff offers reassuring guidance for those who are entrusted with making final arrangements and are an invaluable resource to those not familiar with Jewish burial customs. Taharah (purification) is provided by Chevra Kaddisha's (Holy Society), arrangements for a Shmeerah (watching) are made at the families request, cotton or hand-sewn linen Tachrichim (burial garment) are always available. A large selection of Oron (caskets) are guaranteed free of metal and have been manufactured in a facility that does not operate on the Sabbath. K'vurah (burial) should be as expedient as possible. These all-important customs express the dignity and sanctity of a Jewish funeral. In keeping with Jewish tradition, Bernheim Apter Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel also provides its families with K'reeah ribbons, Yahrzeit Calendars, Shiva benches and Shiva Candles.

For those unaffiliated with a Synagogue, our Directors work closely with Orthodox, Conservative and Reform rabbis who conduct dignified Chapel and Graveside services that consoles the family and honors the deceased.

The Jewish Funeral Directors of America, Inc. (JFDA) is an international association of funeral homes who predominantly serve members of the Jewish faith. Organized in 1932, the JFDA is the oldest and largest organization of its kind whose members has been assisting people of the Jewish faith arrange meaningful and affordable funerals in the Jewish tradition. The members the JFDA adhere to a code of Ethics and Professional Standards. Recognizing that Jewish funeral service is a calling with great responsibilities, demanding high professional and service standards, eminently fair and honorable dealing with all whom they are called to serve, the members of JFDA conduct themselves and their establishments in keeping with the great traditions of their calling and of their faith.

What To Do If A Loved One Dies

When there has been a death and you call Bernheim Apter Kreitzman Suburban Funeral Chapel, the Director will ask you where you are, your phone number and the name and location of the deceased. You will begin to give the Director any pertinent information, such as the location of the Cemetery, if a plot has been previously purchased. When do you want the funeral to take place? Do you want a Shomer? Will a Taharah be preformed? Will the deceased be dressed in a shroud or their own clothes? Do you have a rabbi? Our Director will guide you. Information for the Death Certificate will need to be given to the Director. We realize that at this time it may be very difficult to focus on the importance of this information. The deceased's mother's maiden name hardly holds magnitude over the loss you are feeling. The Death Certificate is necessary. You will need it, and we will make sure you get what you need.

Meeting With The Director

Commonly called "The Arrangement Conference" you may meet with a Director at any of our locations, or in any affiliate throughout the country.

Before you even come into meet with the Director at the Arrangement Conference, the staff is focused on carrying out your wishes. A Director is dispatched to bring your loved one into our care. If you requested, the Shomer is called and is on his way. The Chevra Kaddisha is alerted if there will be a Taharah (men for men, women for women). At least four members of the Chevra will coordinate their schedules in order to perform this incredibly intricate process of purification for your loved one. A staff member is making arrangements to pick up the Death Certificate. Phone calls are being made to the Cemetery. If you do not have Cemetery property, our Director will provide information on your options.

At the beginning of the Arrangement Conference, you will be given a copy of our Price List. Every service or item we offer with its cost is contained in it. The type of service you wish will be discussed. Chapel, Synagogue or Graveside services are usual options. A dignified selection of Caskets, Urns and Vaults are available for your inspection, and our Casket Price List and Outer Interment Receptacle Price List catalogues the specifications and cost of each item.

It is very important for those adhering to Jewish burial customs to know that embalming, which, contrary to Jewish Law, is NOT required by law in New Jersey State.

Anciliary Services

Other services and items which we may assist you with, is the ordering of Engraved Acknowledgement Cards, placement of Obituaries in Newspapers and on the Internet with an "Everlastings Memorial," Flag Cases, Register Books, Monuments, and Kosher Shiva Baskets. We also participate in the Military Funeral Honors Program in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Defense. Our Directors are knowledgeable with Social Security and Veteran's benefits, and will help you secure those to which you are entitled.

Here are some specific services and amenities we provide:

• Procuring the death certificate and burial, or cremation certificate
• Writing and placing classified death notices in local newspapers
• Coordinating floral designs for families and friends
• Providing benefit specialists to assist in filling out forms for Social Security, Insurance, Veterans benefits, Pensions. Notary Public available
• Assisting in the selection of music arrangements
• Providing pallbearers
• Offering a complete selection of caskets, urns and burial Vaults
• Arranging for a cemetery monument and Inscription Services
• Coordinating local transportation and accommodations for out of town families
• Arranging for specialized cremation services
• Grief Support with our "Picking up the Pieces" program
• Creative Coordinated Floral Tributes
• Large national and international network of affiliations offering out-of-town arrangements
• Assistance in arranging accommodations for out-of-town families
• Accept most national credit cards for your convenience
• Proactive community educational programs such as "Escape School", "Holiday Hope" and "Preplanning Workshops"
• Conveniently located to all cemeteries
• Guaranteeing extended service and protection if your loved one dies away from home with THE TRAVEL PROTECTION PLAN^sm

ADDITIONAL SERVICES PROVIDED

Please contact us if you would like to receive a Personal Aftercare Planner and additional information about the advantages our Advance Planning. Please be assured our service does not end after the funeral. If you would like additional information on any of the following subjects, please complete the online form check the appropriate box. We will be sure to provide you with the information you request:

Thank you for stopping by our website and spending time with us. We would be happy to answer any of your questions, and a Director may be reached through inquiries, e-mail, regular mail, or by calling 800-322-0533. But before you leave us, please be sure to examine our Free publications for a wealth of information that is just a "click" away.

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