1. If you are the one to whom your family may turn to for leadership at the death of a loved one, you will want to be as prepared as possible. As one of the leading burial services, King David and its affiliates has been helping families for over four generations. We understand how important it is for families to have all the facts. This web site has been created specifically for the purpose of furnishing you with essential information about funeral and other arrangements. Our funeral director can assist you with any additional information, by e-mail
2. There are many aspects to a funeral. It often involves religious, social, fraternal, civic and military organizations. It is also affected by local, state and federal laws. But most importantly, it is a vital part of the process by which the bereaved begin to adjust to a way of life that has been altered.
3. The funeral service has changed over the years as a result of our instincts to honor our dead and comfort those in mourning. The funeral ceremony represents our beliefs of culture, its hopes, ideals and spiritual concepts.
4. Proper etiquette is important at this time in supporting the grief of others.  Please read our section on Consoling the Bereaved.  

Most families have already given some thought to their choice of funeral establishment, so when there is a death they know who to call. In the days immediately following a death, you will rely on us, your funeral director, to be present when you need them most - to help receive callers, to guide you through the maze of paperwork, and to offer support after the service. And you can take comfort in knowing that they are quietly working behind the scenes to take care of many important details for your family while creating a fitting tribute for the deceased. You will possibly not appreciate the vast amount of detail, and numerous specialized services your funeral director performs, until after the service, or even for a considerable amount of time to follow.

When the burden falls on your shoulders

When someone you love dies, there are a number of details which require your immediate attention. Your first priority, will of course be to comfort those affected by your loss. Then you will begin to focus your attention on making the arrangements. The first call should be to us. After which you should begin to inform other family members, friends, neighbors, business associates. You may assign this duty to another family member or friend, so you can give your full attention to other important matters.

Attention to detail
As your funeral director we are always ready, at a moment's notice, to make our complete services available to you. Meet with us as soon as possible to review personal information about the deceased in order to complete the death certificate, and prepare the newpaper notices. Before this, though you should check to see if the deceased had preplanned the funeral This set of instructions is a tremendous aid in assuring their wishes are carried out and will take much of the decision burden of your shoulders.

The Obituary Announcement
With your assistance, the funeral director will prepare the obituary announcement or paid death notice for publication in the newspapers. This notifies people of the time and place for funeral services. He or she can also send notices to papers in other localities, often former places of residence of the deceased. Your funeral director can advise you of the most effective and informative notices to send.

The never-ending paperwork
Unfortunately, there will be a lot of paperwork. But you won't have to contend with it on your own. We can assist you in securing all the benefits rightfully due your family. We can answer many of your questions, guide you to the proper resources, and assist in much of the paperwork required to file for insurance, Social Security and Veterans Administration benefits. Some of the assistance we provide includes:

Help you obtain the required cerified copies of the death certificate necessary to file for insurance benefits. Send an appropriate form of the death certificate to the Social Security office. Direct you to the nearest Social Security office to determine current benefits and to file a claim, including Survivor benefits, and Medicare benfits to help pay the final medical bills if the deceased was 65 or over. Obtain an American flag for placement on the casket for an honorably discharged veteran. Assist you in applying for a veteran's grave marker and in making arrangements for burial in a national cemetery for eligible veterans and family members.

Funeral planning by you and us, together

Throughout all the planning, we will always be respectful of the family's wishes. The funeral arrangements are particularly important in giving friends and family a meaningful way to express themselves.

The Service
We will help you arrange a service that will best satisfy the preferences of you and your family. Most funeral homes offer an appropriate setting for the service where an atmosphere of comfort, beauty and reverence is offered. You may also choose to hold the service at the family synagogue or other suitable location.
If you are not affiliated with a synagogue but wish to have a religious service, we can suggest a clergy. If a non-traditional service is desired, we can suggest alternatives that maintain the positive values and dignity of the funeral.

The Tribute
You will also consider what kind of tribute you may wish to make. A suitable tribute might include a eulogy or personal remark either by the clergy or a close personal friend. Biblical passages, favorite poetry or other appropriate readings may be chosen. You may also wish to include music, both for its beauty and symbolic significance. We will assist you in your personal decisions.
If the deceased was a member of a fraternal group or similar organization, associated rituals may be available for the family's use before the service, or incorporated into other plans being made for the funeral. Your clergy can avise you, and we will know who to contact for these arrangements.

Who will prepare the eulogy?
Few things in life are harder to prepare then a eulogy for a loved one.  Finding the right words to say at the appropriate time can prove very difficult for even the most prolific speakers and writers.  

Kevin Burch is a Professional Funeral Presider and author of the eulogy guide ‘A Eulogy to Remember – How to give a great eulogy in six simple steps’, which presents a simple, six-step process for successfully delivering a eulogy and includes example eulogies, appropriate poems and quotes, and even some 30-minute fill-in-the-blanks templates which you can use if you are really short of time.

Casket Bearers
Together with other family members you will select casket bearers, to be notified by either the funeral director or members of the family. Sometimes honorary casket bearers are also chosen, not to assist in carrying the casket, but to honor the memory of the deceased.

Selections to be made

Selecting a casket
Whether you are pre-planning for yourself, or choosing for a loved one, casket selection is a very personal decision, and an expression of your feelings. You may select the beauty of wood. You may prefer tailored simplicity or a more elaborate design. A casket selection which reflects the personality and taste of your loved one can be your final tribute to their life.
A wide variety of caskets, in many price ranges, are available. You can rely on us, your funeral director as an invaluable source to provide you with all the information you need to make a selection.
You may view a partial selection of the caskets we have to offer.

Selecting a burial vault
Although not required by law, you may desire to select a burial vault; a sealed, warrantied and lined outer recepticle used in cemeteries for underground interment. Outer burial containers may be required by you cemetery or burial park, to help preserve the beauty of the property and reduce maintenance costs by supporting the weight of the earth and heavy equipment that may pass over the grave.
Usually, the vault is set at the grave prior to interment. A brief service may be held at the grave, when the casket is interred. After the service, the cover will be placed over the base and the grave will be filled, compacted and then seeded or sodded.

Transferring final arrangements after the funeral

Your funeral director can assist you with the final disposition details. Even if the burial is to take place in another city or even another country, making proper arrangements will present no difficulty to our staff whose affiliations extend our services throughout the world.
If the deceased had some definite feelings about where the burial should take place, arrangements for cemetery property may have been made in advance. Advise your funeral director so all the details relative to the interment can be made. If burial property needs to be acquired, your funeral director can assist you. He or she can guide you so that you may make arrangements with the cemetery.
If you are arranging for new cemetery property, you may want to purchase a group of adjoining spaces for the eventual needs of your family. If this is not done, these adjacent spaces will most likely be secured by others and will not be available when needed.

Understanding Funeral Costs

We welcome your questions about costs because experience suggests the more completely you understand funeral costs, the less chance there will be for apprehension or misunderstanding. There is a wide range of funeral services from which to choose. Since each funeral is planned to meet the special needs of the family, it is difficult to speak in generalities about the "typical" funeral or "typical" costs. There are certain expenses basic to almost every funeral, but many are determined by the selections that are made, the services specified and the additional items requested. Keep in mind, all or part of the funeral expenses may be covered by a portion of forthcoming life insurance benefits, supplemented by any death benefits when applicable from Social Security, the Veterans Administration, fraternal groups and others. The deceased may have also made some pre-paid arrangements which will cover all or most of the expenses.

What you should do after the funeral

After the funeral, there will still be a number of things that require attention. Most of them, fortunately, can be postponed for a reasonable length of time, until you feel ready.

Thank you notes

As soon as possible, write notes to those who extended special help, or made contributions to designated charities. Our staff may offer you cards for this purpose, or you may use your personal stationery. You may also wish to acknowledge letters of sympathy; however, it is not necessary to answer notes or cards.

Handling letters and calls

You will undoubtedly receive mail and phone calls for the deceased for some time. Try not to let these become upsetting, remembering these people are making an unintentional mistake.

Monuments
You may view a partial selection of the monuments we have to offer.

A monument or marker can be installed after the funeral. It is wise to check with the cemetery official beforehand to learn about any restrictions in size or style. You may select an individual monument, engraved to your specifications, or a family monument to mark two or more adjoining graves. In the second case, when future burials are made, pertinent data can be inscribed in matching lettering on the same stone.

Personal posessions

In cases where a house or apartment is to be vacated, there is often a substantial accumulation of personal belongings. Although it may be difficult, this task should be performed by close family members, subject to the prior consent of the executor or administrator. Items of sentimental value or other personal significance that might otherwise be overlooked will be recognized by family members. And it is always possible that something of value or importance may be discovered.
After careful review by the family, often some items remain which are not wanted. It is considerate to offer clothing, tools, furniture and other household items to a charitable organization that can put them to good use.

What you should do now

As you read this website it may occur to you that planning a funeral can be an immense responsibility. You can take steps to relieve some of that burden. Life insurance, a will, and preplanning the funeral are just some of the important matters you should attend to now to make things easier for those who survive.

Life insurance protection

Your insurance agent can advise you about the types of coverage available, and recommend the amount of coverage your family will need. Keep your policies in a safe place, but not your safety deposit box, which will be sealed for a time following your death. Notify beneficiaries about your insurance and the location of the policy certificates. As you plan for providing for your family's long-term needs, don't overlook their short-term needs. A dilemma many families face is that the entire estate, including joint bank accounts and other funds, may be inaccessible for a considerable length of time. In order to meet ordinary daily expenses until the insurance is paid or the estate is settled, it is wise to set aside a special fund for this time of adjustment. Consult your banker or attorney for professional advice.

Wills

If you want to direct the administration of your affairs after death exactly as you wish, a properly prepared will is essential. Without a will, your property and holdings will be distributed according to law, and the court will appoint an administrator to dispose of your estate. A will reflecting your specific wishes will be reassuring to you and your family. A properly prepared will enables you to:

• Select your own executor.
• Remember and provide for members of your family and other loved ones.
• Make bequests to your synagogue, charities, schools and other organizations.
• Possibly reduce estate taxes
• Examine the benefits of a trust fund, and establish one if you desire.
• Provide for organ donations
• Ensure all instructions are carried out according to your personal wishes.

Preplanning your funeral

Thoughtful preparation can offer peace of mind not only to the one making the plans but also those left behind. Preplanning is also a practical gesture because it allows you to make unhurried, informed decisions. Preplanning compels you to organize important documents your survivors will need later. With advance planning, you can choose a reasonable budget, and even set aside the funds over a period of time, to ease the financial burden on your family
There are several important things to consider when preplanning. You will want to consider any religious practices that are expected by your faith. You should be especially considerate of the family members who will be left behind by not overplanning. Instead, make general suggestions that can be adapted or adjusted to make the funeral more meaningful to the participants. Refrain from impractical requests. Your funeral director can discuss the many preplanned and preneed funeral plans available, and help you select one suited to your personal needs. If at all possible, discuss these plans with your family, for the assurance your plans are appropriate, and for their cooperation in respecting them.