Funerals & Unveilings
Balancing your grief, the needs of your family, and the final wishes of your loved one is never easy. Rabbi Gail can help you navigate the waters during this most sensitive time. Rabbi Gail is also available to lead shiva minyanim (mourning services).
Last month when my mother in law passed away, the family was left with a dilemma. Like many of her generation she and her husband left Brooklyn for sunny Florida years ago and had no Jewish affiliation in New York. Her grown children no longer live in New York either. The family plot, however, is in New Jersey and we wanted a rabbi to officiate.
I had known Rabbi Nalven for several years but had never seen her work. I knew her to be an articulate, compassionate, warm and caring person and I just knew that she was the person to officiate at my mother in law’s funeral. The immediate family met her for the first time the day before the funeral. To say they were impressed is an understatement. She made it clear from the beginning that this was our day of mourning and that she would help us plan whatever worked for us. She was helpful, flexible, knowledgeable and sensitive to our needs. We worked together to plan a meaningful and beautiful service and memorial and that is exactly what happened. It was everything we had hoped for in memory of a wonderful woman. We owe much of that to Rabbi Nalven.
I hope it’s a long time before I need it, Gail, but I hope you’re there to do the same mitzvah for me.
You performed the funeral service for my Mom. We were extremely satisfied with the funeral service and were wondering if you would be available for the unveiling. (Rabbi Nalven officiated at the unveiling this past October.)