By Joshua Tobias
I walked into a shiva house recently for a family who recently had a funeral at our chapel. I had not met them prior to making the arrangements just two days beforehand. However, when I walked in, it felt like entering the house of a family member. There were hugs, kisses, tears and, overall, just a really comfortable feeling.
It made me realize something. I used to think that we were here to service families in the Detroit Jewish community. I now understand that this community is one big family and The Ira Kaufman Chapel is a part of that family. This is true on several levels. Over the last almost 70 years, we have assisted so many families, that it is somewhat unusual for us to arrange a funeral for a family whom we have not worked with in the past.
There is a comfort that goes along with that familiarity. We are able to share what arrangements were made the last time a member of their family died, which is often helpful in the current decision making process.
I recently met with two sisters who were looking to pre-arrange a funeral for their mother, who is very ill. They came to the chapel without a real idea of what they wanted to do. I told them what was done for their grandparents 30 and 40 years ago, what had taken place. This then snowballed into a conversation about what we had arranged for other members of their family. One sister even remarked that we seemed to know more about her family than she does.
That is the point. If we’ve assisted your family in the past, you know that we are there when you want us. It isn’t only because we have been doing this for almost 70 years, but because we are a part of your family. Be comforted in knowing that your family at The Ira Kaufman Chapel is here for you in your time of need.
For those of you whom we have yet to meet, you can be assured that The Ira Kaufman Chapel provides quality and caring support and will be there for you.
Showing posts with label The Ira Kaufman Chapel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Ira Kaufman Chapel. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Record-Setting Phone Call at The Ira Kaufman Chapel
I recently received a phone call from Florida from a woman who sounded along in years.
She started with, “My mother is determined to pay her funeral expenses, so that the costs come from her own money, not from funds from my older sister and me.”
As we proceeded with the conversation, I asked if we had buried her father. Apparently we had. I looked up our records and noticed her father was born in 1899. Figuring that her father would have celebrated his 111th birthday, if he were still alive today, I asked how old her mother actually was. She is about ready to celebrate her 106th birthday.
Now very curious, I asked, “You mentioned your older sister. Slap me over the phone if this is an inappropriate question, but how old is your older sister?”
The caller answered, “My mother had my sister when she was 19, so she is now 86.” "Slap me over the phone if this, too, is an inappropriate question, but how old are you?” I inquired. Her response? “I just turned 84.”
She then took charge of the discussion. “As long as you are so inquisitive, I have a question for you. What was the age of the oldest person buried through your funeral home.”
I pulled up a record card for Jack Halperin and explained that, if her mother could hang on for another 19 months, she would assume the impressive distinction of being the oldest person buried through The Ira Kaufman Chapel. I then told her, “Even if your mother is not able to achieve the age of 108, one record I know will stand and I imagine will outlive me is that you and your sister will be the oldest siblings to arrange a service for their mother.”
Most people perceive my job as being very sad and depressing. Every time I think of this conversation, I can only smile. I had the feeling that, when we take this arrangement from pre-need to at-need, there will be a sense of appreciation for the extraordinary years granted to these ladies who have outlived the mortality tables while caring for their 106 year-old mother.
She started with, “My mother is determined to pay her funeral expenses, so that the costs come from her own money, not from funds from my older sister and me.”
As we proceeded with the conversation, I asked if we had buried her father. Apparently we had. I looked up our records and noticed her father was born in 1899. Figuring that her father would have celebrated his 111th birthday, if he were still alive today, I asked how old her mother actually was. She is about ready to celebrate her 106th birthday.
Now very curious, I asked, “You mentioned your older sister. Slap me over the phone if this is an inappropriate question, but how old is your older sister?”
The caller answered, “My mother had my sister when she was 19, so she is now 86.” "Slap me over the phone if this, too, is an inappropriate question, but how old are you?” I inquired. Her response? “I just turned 84.”
She then took charge of the discussion. “As long as you are so inquisitive, I have a question for you. What was the age of the oldest person buried through your funeral home.”
I pulled up a record card for Jack Halperin and explained that, if her mother could hang on for another 19 months, she would assume the impressive distinction of being the oldest person buried through The Ira Kaufman Chapel. I then told her, “Even if your mother is not able to achieve the age of 108, one record I know will stand and I imagine will outlive me is that you and your sister will be the oldest siblings to arrange a service for their mother.”
Most people perceive my job as being very sad and depressing. Every time I think of this conversation, I can only smile. I had the feeling that, when we take this arrangement from pre-need to at-need, there will be a sense of appreciation for the extraordinary years granted to these ladies who have outlived the mortality tables while caring for their 106 year-old mother.
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