From Hospice to Funeral: How Sinai Memorial Supports Families in Transition

Saying goodbye to a loved one is never easy, and the days surrounding hospice care can feel both emotionally heavy and uncertain. Families often find comfort in knowing hospice provides support during the final stage of life, but many wonder what happens next.

This is where Sinai Memorial Chapels steps in. With decades of experience serving the Jewish community in Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and Palm Beach County, we help families make the transition from hospice care to funeral arrangements with compassion, clarity, and respect for tradition.

What Happens After Hospice Care Ends?

Hospice care focuses on comfort and dignity during the final stage of life, but once a loved one passes, hospice does not provide funeral arrangements. Families are responsible for contacting a funeral home of their choice.

This transition can feel overwhelming, especially while coping with grief. Sinai Memorial Chapels in Delray Beach works directly with hospice providers in Palm Beach County to ensure a seamless handoff of care, giving families the reassurance that every detail will be managed respectfully.

Do Hospice Programs Help With Funeral Planning?

Hospice staff provide emotional and medical support, but they do not handle funeral arrangements. They may give families a list of funeral homes, but the choice is always up to the family. By contacting Sinai Memorial Chapels, families can rely on our licensed Jewish funeral directors to take immediate steps, including coordinating with hospice, arranging for transportation, and helping with time-sensitive decisions.

Who Do You Call First When a Loved One Passes in Hospice?

The first step is to notify hospice staff, who will confirm the passing. After that, families should call their chosen funeral home. Sinai Memorial Chapels is available 24 hours a day to respond quickly, ensuring your loved one is transferred with dignity and care. Our team provides immediate guidance on what to expect in the coming hours and days.

How Does Sinai Memorial Chapels Support Families After Hospice?

Our role begins the moment we receive your call. We:

• Coordinate directly with hospice nurses and staff
• Arrange transportation from the place of passing to our chapel
• Guide families through required paperwork and legal documents
• Begin planning a funeral or memorial service that aligns with Jewish traditions and your family’s wishes

By taking on these responsibilities, we relieve families of logistical stress, allowing them to focus on mourning and remembrance.

What Jewish Funeral Options Are Available After Hospice?

When a loved one passes under hospice care, one of the first questions families ask is what type of service best reflects their faith, traditions, and wishes. At Sinai Memorial Chapels, we offer a full range of Jewish funeral options so families can choose the path that feels most meaningful.

Traditional Jewish Burial

For many families, traditional burial is central to honoring Jewish faith and customs. This includes tahara, the ritual washing and purification of the body, and shmira, the practice of watching over the deceased until burial. Services are typically held promptly, in keeping with Jewish law, and focus on simplicity, dignity, and respect for the deceased.

Jewish Cremation Services

While cremation is less common in Jewish tradition, some families prefer this option. At Sinai Memorial Chapels, we provide cremation services that still incorporate prayers, readings, and customs to ensure the process is carried out with reverence. Families who choose cremation can also arrange memorial services or interment of cremated remains in a cemetery.

Graveside Services

Many families opt for graveside services held directly at a Jewish cemetery. These intimate ceremonies often include traditional prayers, the recitation of the Kaddish, and participation from family and friends in placing earth on the grave. Graveside services provide a meaningful way to honor tradition while allowing loved ones to gather in a sacred space.

Memorial Services and Shiva Support

Not every family is able to gather immediately after a passing, especially when relatives live in different cities. In these cases, memorial services can be scheduled at a later date. We also guide families through shiva observances, offering support on customs such as candle lighting, prayer services, and how to create a space for reflection and remembrance.

Cemetery Property Assistance

Finding a final resting place is a deeply personal decision. As licensed cemetery brokers, Sinai Memorial Chapels helps families buy and sell cemetery property in Jewish cemeteries across South Florida. We provide guidance on available plots, pricing, and locations so that families can make informed decisions that honor their traditions.

At every step, our licensed funeral directors ensure that Jewish values are respected and that each service is tailored to reflect the beliefs and wishes of the family. Whether choosing a traditional burial, cremation, or memorial, our goal is to provide comfort, clarity, and care rooted in faith.

Should You Pre-Plan Funeral Arrangements Before Hospice Ends?

Yes. Funeral pre-planning provides peace of mind by ensuring your wishes are known and reducing stress for your loved ones. Families in Delray Beach, Boca Raton, and Boynton Beach often choose to meet with our directors before hospice care ends, giving them time to explore options for burial, cremation, and memorialization. Having a plan in place ensures that when the time comes, all details are handled smoothly.

What Makes Sinai Memorial Chapels Different?

Sinai Memorial Chapels is Jewish owned and operated, with more than 90 years of combined experience among our licensed funeral directors.

Unlike many corporate funeral providers, we are one of the last family-owned Jewish funeral homes in South Florida. Founded by Steven R. Fischman in 1999, our mission is to serve Jewish families with integrity, compassion, and respect for tradition.

Can Families Receive Grief Support After the Funeral?

Yes. Grief does not end when the service concludes, which is why we offer ongoing resources for healing. Our families have access to online grief support, group programs, and educational materials 24 hours a day. These resources help families navigate the emotional journey of loss long after hospice and funeral services are complete.

Trusted Funeral Guidance for Families in Delray Beach

The transition from hospice to funeral can be one of the most difficult moments in life, but you do not have to face it alone.

Sinai Memorial Chapels serves Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, and the wider Palm Beach and Broward County communities with compassionate guidance rooted in Jewish tradition. Whether you need immediate assistance after hospice or want to pre-plan arrangements, our dedicated team is here to support your family with dignity and care.

Contact us today to learn more about our services.