DETROIT DECLARED ALIVE!- DEATH RITUALS MAKE US HUMAN- The GADFLY unplugged- interview with HERB KAUFMAN

I Sat Down with Herb Kaufman, Philanthropist and Son of the founder of the IRA KAUFMAN CHAPEL, in Southfield, Michigan to get his Expert view of Detroit's view on it's Death Ritual. With his faithful dog Lucy at his side, we sat and talked about matters of Death, Detroit and what makes Detroit and the IRA KAUFMAN CHAPEL such a great and caring business.

Herb Kaufman, Philologist and Kind Man

 Americans tend to not talk about death. We wait until the last minute to plan for its arrival. WE do however continue on traditions.

" The ancient Egyptians believed that a name remembered was a soul perpetuated while the Japanese still celebrate a culture of ancestor worship. These types of traditions are carried on in American society through the continuance of family names and cultural traditions such as Christmas."   Death and Dying-An American Perspective by T.B. Taylor, accessed 7-6-13

The Gadfly agrees with T.B.Taylor later in his article on the changing views of Americans on death and how people handle it.We continue traditions:

• Now we tell friends and family of the passing of people through technology. Loretta M. Alirangues mentions Old Southern and New Amsterdam (Dutch New York) had friends and hired help let people know of a passing of an Ancestor. 
• Our terminology used in Death has changed as Americans have a "Denial" of death. Jay D. Schvaneveldt, PhD has noted that the phrase "Undertaker" is now "Mortician". A "Corpse" who died is a "Loved One". One is "interred" instead of  "buried". We can't let go of the person that has passed away.
   

WE CONTINUE TRADITIONS BUT ADAPT IT TO OUR MODERN TIME AND NEED.

WE SPOKE OF TRENDS IN THE MORTUARY BUSINESS. Herb mentioned Business Chains have been coming into the area in the last several years to buy Independent Chapels and Mortuary Businesses. Mr. Kaufman is driven to stay independent. HE HELPS FAMILIES WHO CANNOT AFFORD BURIAL AND OTHER RELATED FEES as he has relationships with related businesses in the Funeral field. He is always around TO HELP. 

Herb showed us the a recorded Service on his Website

He said PEOPLE'S VIEWS HAVEN'T CHANGES BUT PROCESS HAS CHANGED

WHAT ARE THE TRENDS IN YOUR INDUSTRY OF HONORING OUR DEPARTED? Herb spoke in terms of the Jewish Community as that is his central business. He mentioned:

• Shortening of Religious Mourning periods (except in the Orthodox Community)
• The ability for Family and Friends to speak at services
• The technology of Steaming live and taped Services
• The loss of the Jewish Population in the area from 95,000 to 65,000 today
• The loss of young people from Detroit affecting religious practices
• The purchase of  Funeral Homes by Conglomerates. Over 50% of them are now owned by these large Corporations. Ira Kaufman Chapels stands as a proud FAMILY BUSINESS

Herb's Dad, Ira Kaufman,  was convinced by a local Funeral Director that the Jewish Community needed a compassionate and sensitive Chapel for his religious Community. Ira got his license and opened his Chapel in 1940. Herb joined his Father in 1956 working at the Chapel. In 1960 they moved to a modern Facility were they are today to be closer to the Major Jewish Cemeteries and the population that use Herb's services.

In the old days, Funerals were simple affairs. They changed to being expensive and complicated in this modern age. The trend is going the other way with the advent of technology, Eco-Burials (Natural Burials) and Pre-paid burial plans. The pendulum is swinging the way of simple burials again. We have busy lives with information at our fingertips with the Internet and Smartphones. It's just the way of our 'Area-Culture".

Talking to Herb was great. I learned there is compassion and dignity in Detroit. Herb's Dad worked with Men of the Cloth in Detroit and took their Advice of starting a Compassionate and helpful Business with a Heart.

DETROIT has a good COMMUNITY OF CHAPELS AND MORTUARIES. We carry on but never forget our PAST.

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