September 8, 2000
Death
Be Not Cheap… But Now There is Help
Orthodox Union and Parkside Chapels Enter Landmark Agreement
Burying
a loved one is never easy, but when the process becomes a burden because
of the high costs involved, many families feel that they have been taken
advantage of. Last February,
then Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jules Polonetsky released a report
chronicling the exorbitant costs of funeral services.
He explained, “Prices for funeral services are extortionately
high, and they’ll continue to climb for New York City consumers as long
as competition and the ability to shop around are so seriously impeded.”
In light of such findings, the Orthodox Union is pleased to
announce a revolutionary alliance that will substantially lower the costs
of traditional Jewish funerals, while strictly adhering to the halachic
guidelines of the burial process.
In a landmark agreement,
the OU has joined with Parkside
Memorial Chapels -- one of the most reputable, independent Jewish
funeral homes -- to create a fixed price of $2,795 for funerals including
a chapel service, or $2,495 with a graveside service.
In his report, Commissioner Polonetsky concluded that, “the
average cost of a funeral in New York City is $6,700, making it the third
largest purchase most consumers will make during their life-time.”
By cutting the cost by more than half, the OU-Parkside deal will
revolutionize the already emotional and monetarily taxing experience of
burying a loved one.
The plan provides for the local transfer of the
deceased within the five boroughs of New York to any of the Parkside
chapels in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, Long Island or Monticello.
The linen shrouds and a traditional pine coffin are included.
All halachic details of the program, including
the tahara (ritual washing) of
the body, will be performed by the Chevra Kadisha of the Vaad Harabanim of
Queens.
Tahara in Brooklyn will
be performed by the Chevra Kadisha of the Vaad Harabbanim of Flatbush.
Mandell I. Ganchrow, M.D., president of the Orthodox
Union, explains, “At the Orthodox Union we pride ourselves on our
ability to recognize the problems that exist within the Orthodox community
and try to address these issues effectively.
The cost of funerals is a problem that has been at the forefront of
our concern for some time now. The agreement between Parkside Chapels and
the OU will alleviate the costs and help our community through some of the
most difficult times that we all have to face.”
For
more information call 1-877-LEVAYA-OU (1-877-538-2926).
###
www.ou.org
Comments?
Requests? Questions?
 Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations
of America
Department of Public Relations
Sharyn Perlman, Director
Main Office:
11 Broadway, New York, NY 10004
Phone: 212-613-8321 Fax: 212-564-9058
E-mail: media@ou.org |
OUPR
Archives
Recent
statements to the press
Articles and statements from 1999
Articles and statements from 1998
|
|