The Jewish Funeral Home

The Jewish Funeral Home, operating as the Portland Jewish Funeral Home, is a venerable non-profit institution that has served the Jewish community of Portland, Maine, and the surrounding region for over a century. Owned and operated by the Portland Chevra Kadisha — a sacred burial society deeply rooted in Jewish tradition — this funeral home is dedicated to providing compassionate, faith-based end-of-life services that honor the deceased and support grieving families. Located at 471 Deering Avenue in Portland, the facility is wheelchair accessible with on-site parking, ensuring comfort and convenience for all who visit.

For more than 100 years, the Jewish Funeral Home has been a pillar of the local Jewish community, offering traditional burial services that strictly adhere to Jewish law (Halakha). Every aspect of the funeral process is handled with the utmost reverence and respect. The sacred ritual of tahara (ritual purification) is performed exclusively by trained members of the Chevra Kadisha, who lovingly prepare the body using hand-sewn white linen shrouds. The deceased is then placed in a simple, biodegradable wooden casket, in keeping with the Jewish principle of returning the body naturally to the earth. A shomer (watchperson) maintains a continuous spiritual vigil from the time of death until burial, reciting psalms as an act of honor.

Services are typically conducted at the Levey Chapel on-site or can be arranged at any synagogue or temple in the area. The funeral home also coordinates international repatriation for burial anywhere in the world, ensuring that families can fulfill final wishes regardless of location. While the funeral home itself does not perform cremation, it provides respectful referrals for families who choose that option.

Pre-planning services are available, allowing individuals to document their preferences and ease the burden on loved ones. The dedicated staff, led by Rabbi Gary Berenson and a licensed funeral director, work closely with families to handle all logistics, paperwork, and coordination with cemeteries and clergy. Recent obituaries reflect the ongoing commitment to the community, with notices for individuals such as Ernest Wallach, Stanley Schatz, Miriam Lipson, and others.

With a perfect 5-star rating from the community, the Jewish Funeral Home stands as a trusted provider of dignified, tradition-honoring funeral care. Its non-profit structure ensures that services are offered as a community service rather than a commercial endeavor, embodying the deep values of compassion, respect, and faith.