Ira Kaufman Chapel To Webcast Jewish Funerals
The Ira Kaufman Chapel in Southfield has added new capabilities to offer families the option of Webcasting funerals, at no extra cost.
The chapel thus becomes the first in Michigan to webcast Jewish funerals, which by tradition, must be quickly arranged to take place within 48 hours of death.
"We are adding this capability based on the feedback of our community, which has undergone significant change in recent years," said Joshua Tobias, director of the Ira Kaufman Chapel. "Families are now spread out around the country and too often, the community tells us that loved ones just cannot make it back to Metro Detroit in time for funerals. This new service allows them to do the next best thing -- watch and listen."
Families are now able to choose live Webcast, archived Webcast, or both. They may also choose not to Webcast. The Chapel's Web site, www.irakaufman.com, is undergoing an update and redesign to prominently incorporate the Webcasting feature, among other enhancements.
"We also hear from members of our community who are not able to make it to funerals, particularly senior citizens and particularly in the winter," said David Techner, funeral director at the Ira Kaufman Chapel. "The Chapel has a long history of providing access to those who are not able to participate in religious services in person. Members of our family, Herb and Babs Kaufman, have generously donated the technology for local temples and synagogues to broadcast their services via telephone. Funeral Webcasting helps continue that tradition."
The chapel has installed a fixed camera, which will not interfere with any aspect of the funerals and a technology system, that will Webcast the video and audio to anywhere in the world. The chapel will also not charge viewers for accessing Webcasts.
