THE IMPORTANCE OF A JEWISH FUNERAL        

by Rabbi Earl Grollman

The funeral service provides the mourner with an environment to express grief, to see friends and family, which will help the bereaved to accept the reality of death.

The Jewish funeral ritual is a profound expression of our Jewish heritage.  It doesn't just recognize that life has ended; it honors that a life was lived.  It gives purpose to the indomitable Jewish will to survive.

The funeral helps the survivors to heal emotionally and gives us comfort and elevates our sense of family.  Grief is part of the healing process that allows us to separate ourselves from the deceased person and go on with our lives.

The funeral brings together a community of mourners who, by supporting each other, can help themselves through a difficult period.

To resolve their grief, mourners need to accept the reality of death not only on an intellectual, but on an emotional level as well.  It is for this reason that the traditional funeral is important. 

A funeral confirms the reality of death and serves as a focus for expressing feelings of loss.

"Gathering together for the service we offer support and share sorrow.  Grief shared is grief diminished."

FAMILY SERVICE
Since 1923 when the Berschler family began in funeral service, the warmth and the feeling of being at a Jewish friend's home have been carried on for four generations. From the early days of Benjamin and Jennie Berschler and his brother Joseph and Sarah Berschler to their children, David and Beatrice, Leonard and Berte and Albert and Joan, the third generation, Howard Shenberg and Wendy Berschler Shenberg, daughter and son-in-law of Albert and Joan Berschler, and now their daughter Kimberly, the fourth generation continues this tradition. Over the years the family acquired 2 Jewish firms; the Asher firm as well as the Charles I. Kahn firm. And today, 99 years later, that same feeling of warmth comes through at every service conducted by the family from each of our Philadelphia area locations.

OUR PHILOSOPHY
Our philosophy is to pay careful attention to the wishes of each family member and to make every Jewish funeral arrangement meaningful to those involved. We serve only one family at a time. Every family has different ideas about what a funeral should be. This is why we believe it is necessary to offer alternatives. Together with the family, we can create a service of remembrance as unique as the individual being remembered. We are dedicated to alleviating the stress associated with the funeral process. This is best accomplished through diligence in planning and in the execution of every detail the family desires. In addition, we know cost is an important factor for most families. This is why we promise to provide the finest service at competitive prices. We offer a wide choice of services and merchandise so that each family may have a funeral that is truly a reflection of their love and good taste.

OUR SERVICES
Having had the opportunity to meet and serve so many Jewish families over the years, we have learned how important it is for each family to preserve their individuality. We offer a large assortment of services from each of our facilities. Families may select Jewish funeral services and merchandise for at-need or pre-need services from one source. We also offer assistance with veterans, lodge and social security benefits. We can assist with the purchase or inscription of a monument or marker as well as supply information about the unveiling ceremony and its procedures. If a death takes place out of town or out of the country, we can assist by engaging our local representative to handle the transfer and clear all government requirements. We will book the necessary flights for the deceased and the family, if desired.

OUR FACILITIES
All of the conveniences necessary for the comfort of the immediate family, as well as their relatives and friends attending the Jewish services are here within an esthetically pleasing atmosphere. Our chapels incorporate many special features for your comfort and convenience. We have added additional chapel locations in Broomall, Huntingdon Valley, and Willow Grove, PA for your convenience. All service locations are specially designed to allow for ease of entrance and exit no matter how large the attendance. Air conditioning and custom amplification are available throughout each building.  Ample parking areas are available at each location.