When A Death Occurs
You are not alone. Adath Israel Congregation is here for you.

When a loved one dies we feel sorrow and grief. We can also feel confused and wonder what to do next. This information has been prepared as a resource for you at this difficult time.

Senior Rabbi Steven Saltzman 416 635 5340 
Associate Rabbi David C. Seed 416 635 5340

• Arrange the time and place for the funeral with the funeral home and Rabbi. Our tradition stresses having the funeral as soon as possible after death occurs; there are times when a delay is proper. The service can be held at graveside, in the funeral home or in the synagogue for a member
• Telephone immediate family, close friends and employer or business colleagues.
• Choose the pallbearers. Pallbearers are necessary when a funeral is held at the funeral home or at the synagogue; they are optional for a graveside service. Six people who can carry the casket are needed. Immediate mourners may not be pallbearers. If the physical handling of the coffin is an issue, you may designate someone as an honourary pallbearer.
• You will need to discuss the eulogy with the officiating Rabbi. Be open and give as much personal insight as possible. Family members often choose to speak as well.
• Discuss your shiva plans with the Rabbi including the location, time of minyans and what hours you are accepting visitors. The synagogue can help to arrange for minyan leaders, provide prayer books and kippot.
• You may wish to consider arranging for a house sitter during the funeral. Criminals often use obituaries to determine a time to break into homes.

The Toronto Board of Rabbis sees organ donation as a new means to fulfill an ancient, eternal religious duty. This idea also includes the giving of blood, bone marrow transplants and donating redundant organs.

The Toronto Board of Rabbis urges that consent be given for post-mortem organ donations when requested by doctors and hospitals for use when directly needed for life-saving transplantation procedures. This applies to the individual in anticipation of his or her own death, as well as to health care proxies or next of kin whenever they are legally empowered to make such decisions on behalf of the deceased. It is the belief of the Toronto Board of Rabbis that by so doing, we render a profound and genuine honor to the deceased.

One free plot is available to single members in good standing in the Adath Israel section of Pardes Shalom Cemetery.

Two plots are available free “next in line” to family members in good standing in the Adath Israel section of Pardes Shalom Cemetery. At the time of death if the spouse wishes to reserve the plot next to the deceased there is a reservation fee. Please contact the shul office for further information.

A free plot is available for deceased unmarried children of members 24 years of age and under.

If a member and or spouse wish to be buried at Roselawn Cemetery they must pay for the plot(s). Please contact the shul office for further information on availability and cost.

Every person has different reactions to situations of stress, grief and loss. It is not unusual for a mourner to feel depressed one day and happy another or for depression to come and go for a long period of time after the death of a loved one. These ups and downs are part of the process of returning to normal living. Our tradition understands that life will never be the same again after the death of a loved one; however it is important to try and regain a sense of normalcy as one goes through the mourning period. If you ever feel the need to speak to someone about these feelings, mourners are urged to speak with our Rabbi or a counselor to help get through this most difficult time. All the resources of the synagogue are ready to be of help to those who are in need.

You are an integral part of our spiritual community. Should you decide to direct contributions in memory of your loved one to the synagogue we will be sure to track these donations and notify you of same. To discuss other opportunities to memorialize your loved one, please contact Bernie Rabinovitch the Executive Director at the synagogue office 416 635 5340.