Funeral Arrangement Checklist

At the Time of Loss — What’s Next?

In order to ease the anticipation of what happens next, we have developed a partial guide to provide guidance on the next steps to take.

• Call Mount Sinai at 323-469-6000 to report the passing of your loved one as soon as possible. Our caring advisors are here for you 24/7/365.
• Have your loved one’s date of birth, current location, social security number, and their doctor’s name and phone number on hand to help facilitate bringing your loved one into our care.
• Let the Mount Sinai representative know if you have purchased or intend to purchase property.
• Mount Sinai is a full service mortuary. You are not required to purchase property in our cemetery to choose us as your mortuary. We proudly offer Chevra Kadisha services to the entire Jewish community in order to make a traditional Jewish burial accessible to everyone.
• Set an appointment to make funeral arrangements while speaking with our Mount Sinai mortuary staff.
• Decide if you wish to designate one person to be responsible for mortuary arrangements, whether you have pre-planned or not.
• Notify your Rabbi and get a range of available times for the service. Because it may take time for documents and permits to be gathered and processed, please know that your preferred funeral date and time may not be available.
• Gather necessary vital information related to the deceased such as: social security number, date of birth, place of birth, Hebrew name, maiden name, occupation, parents’ names, etc.
• Please provide us with a copy of the Advance Health Care Directive if one has been executed, particularly if you are not the legal next-of-kin. This document will help ensure that the decedent’s wishes are carried out and that the proper legal procedures are followed.
• Please have your loved one’s Veteran’s discharge papers (form DD214) to secure a complimentary flag for the funeral.

Additional Considerations

• Will you be having an obituary and, if so, who will write it?
• What clothing will be provided?
• Who will be speaking at the funeral?
• Will you have pictures to display at the funeral?
• Will you have special music?
• Will you be ordering flowers?
• Will you need transportation?
• Will there be a reception following the funeral?