The Papers Were Signed for Cremation, Then the Shliach Arrived

A journey back home after 15 years.

Marty had spent the past 15 years in an assisted living facility in Boscawen, New Hampshire, approximately 40 miles north of Manchester. He was elderly and had been sick for a long time. Over the years, Rabbi Levi Krinsky, head Shliach of New Hampshire, had visited him repeatedly. “Marty never refused to put on Tefillin even when in a lot of pain,” reflected Rabbi Krinsky.

His wife was elderly herself and very difficult to reach. Rabbi Krinsky had tried reaching out to her on many occasions over the years, without success, but he had told the nursing-home staff and the clergy who cared for Marty that if Marty’s condition became critical, please call him. If Marty passed away, he wanted to make sure he received a Jewish burial.

Then, this past Wednesday evening, the call came. A clergy member from the nursing facility called, letting Rabbi Krinsky know that it wasn’t looking good and that Marty was likely going to pass away very soon. Unable to get there that night, Rabbi Krinsky said he would come first thing in the morning.

Then he asked what plans were in place for the burial. Rabbi Krinsky was informed that papers had been signed and authorized to have Marty cremated immediately. It was the financially practical decision, and his wife, having even less connection to the Jewish community, was the only one authorized to make that decision.

The next morning, Rabbi Krinsky rushed over to the assisted living facility and walked in 5 minutes after Marty had returned his Neshama to its creator. Then a member of the nursing staff said that his wife was there, outside in the parking lot, grieving.

After sharing some words of comfort with her, Rabbi Krinsky gently broached the subject of a kosher burial. It was then that it was confirmed what he had suspected – she was not of the Jewish faith. She said that she was not affiliated with anyone in the community and had no funds for such a service.

Rabbi Krinsky assured her that he knew lots of people in the community and it would not be an issue; he would arrange everything, reiterating the importance of a proper Jewish burial. Finally, after continued discussion, she agreed. The cremation was cancelled.

Rabbi Krinsky jumped into action. A burial plot had to be located, and transportation arrangements had to be made. Costs quickly began to build.

But as the family history was investigated, something unexpected emerged.

A search uncovered records showing that Marty’s family had plots in a Jewish cemetery on Long Island, New York. His father and mother were buried there, as well as a younger brother. Perhaps Marty had a place reserved for him.

Phone calls followed. A relative in New Jersey was finally reached. She had been trying to find out what had happened to Marty herself for years.

When she learned that he had died and that the plan had been to cremate him, she was stunned. She helped confirm the family information and the existence of the family cemetery plot.

From there, the incredible askan, Rabbi Mordy Hecht, working with Chesed Shel Emes, was contacted, and strings were pulled from all different directions. The funeral home owner, vacationing in Spain, was reached to ensure the body could be removed on Sunday. Finally, all of the pieces came together through incredible hashgacha protis!

Marty would not be cremated or be buried alone in New Hampshire. He would be buried in a full Kevuras Yisroel beside his parents and brother, not far from where he grew up in Brooklyn, NY.

As Rabbi Krinsky put it: “The most fundamental lesson the Rebbe has taught us in the world of Shlichus is that no matter where you may roam, you can always come back home.”

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