Competition is a healthy thing, according to Ted Larsen, owner of the new Star of David Jewish Funeral Service.
He has owned and operated Church and Chapel Funeral Service with his wife, Pam, for nearly 10 years, and now sees an opportunity to serve the Jewish community as well.
In a recent telephone interview, Larsen told The Chronicle that “being in the funeral business, I’ve paid attention to the market. I noticed that about 85 percent of Jewish funerals are graveside, which I think we can accommodate at a reduced fee. We are able to operate with lower overhead since we don’t need a fleet of vehicles, bricks and mortar, etc. So we can offer an attractive price to the consumer.”
He added, “We’ve been successful in the general market, and I think we’ll be so in the Jewish market.”
Larsen has created a separate corporation that will provide services at synagogues and graveside, and has hired Liz Ryan as one of the funeral directors.
Ryan, the original funeral director at the Jewish Community Funeral Home, who was also associated with Goodman-Bensman Funeral Home after it merged with JCFH, said, “I was approached last April to join this new venture and accepted. I find it very exciting to be in on it from the beginning as I was with JCFH.”
Acknowledging that she is not Jewish, Ryan spoke of the “high level of training” she received at JCFH. “I was taught all the traditions and customs of Jewish burial for the Orthodox, Reform, Conservative and Reconstructionist movements. I was also involved with the Chevra Kadisha [Milwaukee Jewish Sacred Society] and am knowledgeable of the laws of Jewish burial.”
Echoing Larsen’s attitude, she added, “I like the fact that the community has choices. I feel we offer a great opportunity for people to honor their loved ones with the highest dignity at the lowest cost.”
Noting the Jewish market may be small compared to the general market, Larsen said, “We’re beginning to establish relationships with rabbis and families that we hope will be passed on by word of mouth.”
Offering a favorable experience is Rabbi Steven Adams, spiritual leader of Congregation Emanu-El of Waukesha, who said he has been contacted by Church and Chapel for some time.
“Even before the new venture was created, they called me to officiate at Jewish services, especially in the western suburbs. I have found them to be extremely sensitive to Jewish concerns and knowledgeable about Jewish customs.”
Further, he explained that in some cases the deceased may be Jewish while the family doesn’t practice or is not Jewish.
“The family wants a Jewish burial, but doesn’t know how to make the arrangements. I’ve found Church and Chapel and now Star of David to be most helpful,” Adams said.
And, he said, “The Jewish Community Funeral Home was created because the founders said they felt competition was important in the industry. Now, there are several funeral services to maintain that concept, and I think it’s good for the community.”
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