Sign In Forgot Password

Bereavement Funerals Cemeteries

Bereavement and Funeral Practices

Adas Israel mourns the loss of our loved ones… Your community is here for you in your time of need.


When A Death Occurs

Call the synagogue office first, 202.362.4433 and ask for our Executive Director, David Polonsky. If he is not available, Marcy Spiro or Megan Ward will assist you.

*After business hours, on weekends, and secular holidays, the synagogue phone’s recorded message indicates that you should call our answering service at 301.421.5271. You will leave a message with them and a staff member will return your call to assist.

*On Yom Tov and Shabbat, even though detailed funeral arrangements should not be made, a staff member will be available to speak with you and begin assisting you.

*Staff members are familiar with the procedures for making both local and out-of-town arrangements and will provide guidance about funeral homes.

Where to Begin

The first questions to consider are:

  • Who will handle the funeral arrangements?
  • Where will the burial take place?

Funeral

We can help you make arrangements using the two funeral homes that have agreed to money-saving, fixed price Jewish funeral packages: Sagel Bloomfield Danzansky Goldberg and Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Homes. Working with our staff, rabbis, and committed community members, we will assist you in making necessary decisions and facilitate the process. If requested, prior to the funeral, your loved one will be prepared for the casket by members of our tahara teams. In addition, friends, family and congregation volunteers, shomrim, may sit at the funeral home to “watch over” your loved one if you wish.

In the case of a prepaid funeral, or if you wish to use another funeral home, please contact the synagogue first so we can involve members of the clergy and be of assistance.

Burial

Arrangements can be made for purchasing plots at the time of death; however, our staff is always available to discuss fees and pre-need planning when requested by members.

Please see the A Guide to Jewish Funeral Practices for additional information.

Planning Ahead

Please consider discussing your thoughts and potential decisions about pre-need funeral arrangements at any time with our rabbis and synagogue staff who can help you consider different options and are familiar with local funeral homes and cemeteries.

Cemeteries

Founded in 1870, Adas Israel owns and maintains its historic cemetery in DC on 1400 Alabama Ave, SE. While there are no new plots available at this location, the congregation also owns a section of available cemetery sites at Judean Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Olney, Maryland and Garden of Remembrance in Clarksburg, MD. For more information about purchasing burial plots, please contact Marcy Spiro at Marcy.Spiro@adasisrael.org or call at 202.362.4433.  

Adas Israel Cemetery Addresses

Adas Israel Historic Cemetery:
1400 Alabama Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20032
Visitation made by appointment only or by entering through the Washington Hebrew Gate which is open Sunday – Friday from 8am – 4pm

Judean Memorial Gardens:
16225 Batchellors Forest Road, Olney, Maryland,  20832
(301) 384-1000

Garden of Remembrance:
14321 Comus Rd, Clarksburg, MD 20871
(301) 428-3000

Tue, March 19 2024 9 Adar II 5784