Independent Jewish Shul in Brookline, MA

Contact Us: 617-566-8171 | info@tbzbrookline.org

Death & Mourning

We do all we can to support those facing the end of life as well as those mourning the loss of loved ones. Our Death and Bereavement group has developed a resource of helpful information for hesed shel emet, burying the dead and comforting the bereaved. This guide has both spiritual and practical information, for those trying to navigate these complex and difficult events. It also provides advice for community members who want to support the bereaved but are unsure how best to do so.

Our rabbis provide supportive pastoral care for the funeral, shiva and sheloshim as well as unveiling and marking the anniversary of a death. Additionally, members of TBZ have been trained in the work of our Community Hevra Kadisha.

If you would like to get more involved in Hesed@TBZ, need help, or have any questions please reach out to hesed@TBZBrookline.org.

The Community Hevre Kadisha of Greater Boston

Temple Beth Zion is a member of the Community Hevra Kadisha of Greater Boston.

The Community Hevra Kadisha of Greater Boston (CHK) is an independent, non-denominational organizations of individuals, synagogues, Hebrew College, and other Jewish institutions committed to making the full range of burial rituals accessible and available to the entire Jewish community. The mission of the CHK is to give Boston area Jews of every denomination and description the opportunity to learn about and perform burial-related mitzvot. To that end, the Hevra Kadisha will provide education programs about the Jewish values and practices related to dying, burial and mourning, and recruit, train and supervise volunteers in the performance of shmira and tahara.

Brezniak Rodman Funeral Directors offer all members of the Hevra Kadisha (and thus, all TBZ members and members’ immediate family) a traditional funeral package in complete accord with Jewish practices at substantial savings. The package is complete and requires no additional decision-making at the most difficult time.

The package includes:

  • Professional services of license funeral director and staff
  • Traditional tahara (ritual washing) by the Community Hevra Kadisha of Greater Boston
  • Traditional shmira (being with the deceased) for up to 12 hours
  • Traditional plain pine casket and tachrichim (burial garments)
  • Transportation of the deceased and refrigeration

The package does not include:

  • Cemetery plot, grace liner, opening and closing grace
  • Clergy and any temple charges
  • Death certificates and newspaper notices
  • Limousines
  • Upgrades to casket

Pricing for members of supporting synagogues of the Community Hevra Kadisha of Greater Boston and their immediate family members: $6855. This represents a discount of $1280 from the regular price of $8135.

TBZ Cemetery Plots

TBZ does not sell cemetery plots. 

Members interested in a plot in the TBZ section, would need to go through Jewish Cemetery Association of Massachusetts. They can be reached at 617.244.6509. When you call, you may request a plot in our section. We have an ideal location, the front part of the independent Zviller Cemetery, on Baker Street in West Roxbury.

For more information on the Jewish Cemetery Association of Massachusetts please also visit their website by clicking here.