Obituaries

Upcoming Services

We are available 24 hours a day throughout the Bay Area. Call (415) 921-3636

What to Do First

In the first moments after a death it can feel overwhelming to know what to do— this guide offers four immediate steps and reassurance.
Download Guide
Advanced Planning Checklist

We have provided a summarized list of the information we might ask about during an Advanced Planning meeting. We will support and guide you through the process regardless of what information you have ready.
Download Checklist
A Guide for the Comforter

We are offer some guidelines—many based on Jewish customs—on what you may expect regarding funerals, burials, and visits to the family in mourning.
Download Guide
Annual Day of Learning

Our annual Day of Learning focuses on Jewish rituals that support our community through the stages of <span style="white-space: nowrap">end-of-life,</span> death, and grief.
Learn More

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Mourner Care Services

Grief deserves time, care, and companionship. Our mourner care counselors will accompany you as you navigate your life after loss and the complex range of emotions that your mourning process may bring.

Compassionate Mourner Care at No Cost to You

Short-Term
Grief Counseling

We offer three one-on-one counseling sessions with a licensed grief therapist, available at no cost to all Sinai mourners.

Grief & Growing™ Retreat

We refer mourners to the weekend-long Grief & Growing Retreat, a unique and nurturing program for participants of all ages to experience the healing power of Jewish community.

Referrals to
Healing Resources

We can connect you with longer-term counseling, death doulas, trusted resources, and community supports rooted in Jewish tradition and your needs

Find Comfort & Healing with
Our
Mourner Care Counselors

Cheryl Bartky

Cheryl is a grief counselor serving the East Bay and South Bay. She joined our Mourner Care Program in 2006, becoming the coordinator in 2008. She has an active private practice.

Gloria Saltzman

Gloria is a grief counselor serving San Francisco and the Peninsula. She joined our Sinai Mourner Care Program in 2016. She maintains a private psychotherapy practice specializing in depression, anxiety, and life transitions.

Downloadable Resource

Nihum Aveilim:
A Guide for the Comforter

Friends, family, and chosen family of the deceased sometimes want to know more about matters of etiquette and what to expect regarding funerals, burials, and visits to the family in mourning. We are offer some guidelines—many based on Jewish customs—while acknowledging there is welcome variation from community to community.

This downloadable PDF covers:

What to expect during a funeral service
What to expect during a burial
Understanding the seven-day mourning
period (Shiva)

Educational Resources

Jewish Wisdom in Times of Mourning

Death, loss, and grief are profoundly challenging stages in our lives that every one of us will face. Jewish tradition and values offer a compassionate roadmap through these moments — from concrete steps that guide us forward to practices that support reflection, meaning, and care.

Mourning & Remembrance

Resources for Child Loss

Mourning & Remembrance

Resuming Daily Life After Loss

Mourning & Remembrance

What is a Yahrzeit Calendar?

Mourning & Remembrance

Why We Place Stones on Graves

Mourning & Remembrance

How and Why We Light a Yahrzeit Candle

Mourning & Remembrance

History of The Memory Garden

Testimonial

“They were kind, professional and really helped us. I also received a phone call after I was back home from their bereavement group that if I needed to talk, they were there to help. Really great and I highly recommend them!”

— Marilyn T., Yelp Reviewer

Mourner Care

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can participate in Mourner Care?

While some services are specific to families served by Sinai Memorial, Mourner Care strives to be a resource for all who are grieving in the Bay Area Jewish community.

Mourner Care is also welcome to people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and levels of observance. Jewish tradition is offered as a source of wisdom and meaning, not a requirement.

Is there a cost to receive Mourner Support Care services?

No. Three complimentary Mourner Care sessions are available at no cost to the mourner. Donor support allows these services and related programs to remain accessible without financial barriers.

Does Sinai Memorial offer support for specific kinds of loss?

Yes. Sinai Memorial offers dedicated support for prenatal, infant, and child loss, including free access to The Memory Garden at Eternal Home Cemetery. We also help families find appropriate resources when children or teens are grieving.

When can I access Mourner Care support?

Grief does not follow a timetable. Some people reach out shortly after a death, while others connect during the first year, at yahrzeit, or years later. Support is available whenever it feels helpful.

Is Mourner Care confidential?

Yes. Conversations with members of the mourner care team are treated with care and discretion, creating a supportive and respectful space.

Does Mourner Care help with Jewish mourning practices?

Our Mourner Care program can help orient mourners to Jewish mourning practices and connect them to relevant community resources, though it does not replace clergy or ritual guidance.

Does Mourner Care include therapy or practical support after a loss?

No. Mourner Care is not therapy. It offers spiritual, educational, and relational support and does not replace mental health care. When appropriate, we can help connect individuals with licensed grief professionals.

Mourner Care does not provide direct assistance with daily tasks, but we can offer information and referrals through community partners for concerns such as benefits, meals, or life transitions.

Still have questions?