Shiva Sisters
Submitted by: Danna Category: Caring for Jews in Need
The Big Idea
Shiva Sisters is a full service company, which lightens the burden for those who have lost a loved one. We create a meaningful Shiva, reception, memorial or gathering in which the presence of family and friends becomes an essential part of healing. At a moments notice, we quickly facilitate an event, which is specifically tailored to meet the needs of each family.
Before we formally started our company, we sought to understand the various rituals and processes performed after a death to help each family through this painful time. Not only did we assess the available literature and attend seminars regarding the subject, but we spent many months, speaking with clergy of various religions, experts in the field of death including doctors, funeral directors, mortuaries and those who had gone through the tremendous burden of closing the chapters to one's life.
After spending much time carefully analyzing this process, we focused our attention on creating substantial relationships with vendors across the greater Los Angeles area to provide clients with any and every necessity at a moments notice. We have over 29 a la Carte items available for clients and food spanning the casual to formal, kosher to kosher style or even vegetarian. Our relations with restaurants, caterers, rental companies and other vendors ensure a seamless Shiva. We can also provide pet sitters, travel agencies for out of town guests, parking valet companies and even video producers who can film the funeral or create a video montage as a tribute to the loved one. We respect that every gathering is unique for each family and we will never tell the family how, why or what they should do. Our vendor relationships combined with our knowledge and experience, ensure a proper, unique and worry free event.
The Impact
Shiva Sister's tag line is, "In your time of sorrow, leave the details to us". Our goal is to allow the bereaved to solely focus on the grieving process by providing services they would otherwise have to do themselves. In today's culture, the topic of death is uncomfortable, almost taboo. However, we hope to encourage families to discuss death well in advance of its arrival and to avoid last minute details that should be finalized before one passes on. Shiva Sisters has provided seminars at temples across Los Angeles with break out sessions featuring guests who help clients with preplanning. We often advise people to open this conversation with their family. Knowing one's final wishes can be a great comfort to them, their children and other loved ones. Preplanning is the most selfless act of love.
Approximately 80% of the Jewish population in the greater Los Angeles area is not affiliated with a Temple. However, most of the Jewish people who die in the Los Angeles area want their Jewish heritage reflected at their death. With or without temple affiliation, Shiva Sisters has the ability to facilitate an event that will reflect the deceased's values and those of his or her family, calling upon Rabbi's and/or cantors to be present at the memorial or funeral if necessary. In fact, temples have embraced Shiva Sisters, inviting us to host our seminars at their congregations to alert their communities about the necessity of our services, along with the ones the congregation can provide. Shiva Sisters works to inform all Jewish people in Los Angeles.
Since starting our service, we have created substantial relationships with our clients and have often become an extension of their families. As outsiders who have no history with these people, we place no judgment, keep their secrets and provide support during this very fragile time in their lives. We keep in touch with previous families and check up on them in the months following the Shiva. As our company grows, we will be able to provide services to more Jewish families who have suffered the loss of a loved one.
This Is A Great Idea Because
Our company's innovation is present in the fact that no other company IN THE WORLD provides services like those of Shiva Sisters. While temples and friends can assist the bereaved during their mourning with small tasks, Shiva Sisters takes all the calling, planning and necessary yet difficult distractions away from those affected by the loss of a loved one. Our company was started because we both have lived through many deaths of family members and close friends without having anyone to call for assistance. Learning from our personal experiences, Shiva Sisters never wants any grieving person to be distracted by these overwhelming details when they should be focusing on their family. Our services should expand beyond the Los Angeles area to truly help all Jews. With our experience, Shiva Sisters can help all those affected by a loss and allow the life of a loved one to be honored properly.