Wheaton, MD

Proudly serving the Orthodox Jewish community of Wheaton, MD, Shomrei Neshama Funeral Home is the only Jewish funeral home in the Washington metropolitan area adhering to the highest standards of Jewish law. In keeping with the ancient traditions of our faith, we provide the Tahara, focus on simple wooden caskets and do not offer embalming or cremation. Also, we close our firm on Shabbat and Yom Tov. Under the supervision of shomer Shabbat staff, we provide dignified and respectful final arrangements for your loved one. We also offer a pre-arrangement Orthodox package and accept pre-arrangements from most other funeral homes. 

The Tahara is the important and sometimes neglected ritual preparation of the departed for burial. Performed by members of the Holy Society, the deceased is cleansed, purified, dressed and shrouded. This service of kindness maintains decorum and modesty at all times, with men caring for male remains and women for females. The Tahara readies your loved one for their meeting with their Maker.

Jewish beliefs hold that the human body should decompose as speedily as possible in order for the soul to escape the physical remains and find eternal peace and rest. Therefore, we offer a selection of basic wood coffins that biodegrade in the environment. To represent our equality in the sight of our Maker, these elegant designs available in pine, poplar and oak are the perfect vessels. 

Embalming runs contrary to our belief in the sanctity of the human body and the need for remains to disintegrate as quickly as possible. Therefore, we do not offer this service. Because cremation is an offense to the body, it is also forbidden by Halacha and not offered by us.

Shabbat and Yom Tov are central to the Jewish way of life. We honor these special days by closing down our operations.