AIRPORT FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

Misaskim

718-854-4548     Emergency Hotline

Misaskim has a series of initiatives in place to assist a family that is in need of transporting a niftar via air.  These procedures have been established after specific air travel related issues have repeatedly surfaced.

One issue concerns the wait for the release of an aron arriving on a commercial flight.  This can be a lengthy process as the aron first has to be offloaded from the plane and released to the cargo terminal.  Cargo is always a secondary concern to both passengers and luggage when it comes to deplaning.  Thus, a family awaiting the arrival of a niftar has to take the time delay into account.  This wait can be a serious obstacle when time is of the essence—when an aron needs to be transferred to a connecting flight, or when the shkiah is an issue.  Misaskim has made pre-arrangements with all tri-state area airports to enable the expeditious retrieval of an aron to occur should the circumstances make it necessary.  The organization will dispatch volunteers familiar with the process and escort the aron off the plane, usually within ten minutes or less of arrival.

Similarly, in some instances a niftar has to be brought back home but commercial travel is not an option.  Misaskim, at its discretion, will engage a private jet to bring the niftar home quickly, thereby not delaying kvurah.  This is often done at no expense to the family.

A series of technical challenges will surface when a levayah for a niftar who is about to be transported overseas is held at the airport.  It’s quite a feat to find a private corner in a venue designed for international travel and to deal with the parking nightmares that ensue.  Misaskim has witnessed the frustration families experience while attempting to pay their final respects before the niftar departs, and has arranged for a designated area to be available upon request in each of the tri-state area airports.  Whether it’s a reserved area outdoors or an idle hanger, these locations provide ample space to accommodate the needs of the grieving family.  With prior notice, Misaskim has had the designated areas heated during frigid weather, and the parking areas cleared of snow and ice.  Sound systems and generator powered lights are also available when needed.

It is important to note that, while Misaskim will coordinate with any chapel or chevra kadisha, the chapel or chevra kadisha will not take charge of coordinating these services.  Therefore, families are responsible to contact Misaskim on their own.