The Dorfman Chapel Advertisement

From Dream To Reality

Esther Allweiss Ingber { Contributing Writer

Ian Dorfman, co- owner of The Dorf-
man Chapel, has always upheld his
_ father's legacy of serving the com-
munity with care, professionalism and dignity.
Working in his father's Dorfman Drugs in
Detroit, he realized that the funeral profession,
not pharmacy, was his calling. Alan graduated
in the top 10 percent of his class at Worsham
College of Mortuary Science in Chicago in
1965. He won The Restorative Art Award for
a skill that allows families a comforting last
memory of their loved ones.
Graduating in the top 5 percent at Wayne
Mortuary School in 1992, Alan's son and
partner, Jonathan, also earned a master's
ies. The architecture is known for its beauty
degree in marriage and family psychology at
and symbolism, while the interior creates
a warm, comforting environment with the
WSU. A licensed psychologist, he specializes in
grief therapy. Jonathan speaks and leads tours
eye-appeal of fine works of art, magnificent
of the chapel for children and has counseled
stained glass, access to an outdoor garden,
numerous grief support groups. Together their
a bereavement library, a clergy room, family
professional backgrounds allow The Dorf-
room and separate Cohanim room. The beau-
man Chapel to meet the needs of the Jewish
tiful cherry wood pews, seating more than
population.
600, easily accommodate extremely large ser-
The story behind the new
vices. The chapel also doubled
funeral home began, when after
its parking capacity in 2005.
30 years of experience, Alan
All aspects of a funeral
realized that the expanding Jew-
service are provided at The Dor-
ish community in Metro Detroit
fman Chapel, from pre-arrange-
and throughout Southeastern
ments to aftercare, including
Michigan needed a new Jew-
ordering and placement of a
ish funeral home in a western
headstone. After the chapel's
suburb. Jonathan consulted with
funeral service, mourners have
family friend and real estate
the option of traveling in pro-
Alan and Jon athan Dorfman
developer Bill LaKritz about avail-
cession or driving on their own to
able property in the Farmington
meet others at the cemetery.
Hills area. Bill formed a group with his business
The Dorfman Chapel provides shivah hosts
partner, the late Sandy Weber; attorney Rich-
with folding chairs, prayer books, coat racks, a
ard Roth; and accountant Steve Epstein, who
seven-day shivah candle and printed acknowl-
became founding members of the project.
edgment cards. The chapel provides shivah
Their knowledge, dedication and assistance
supplies locally for out-of-state burials.
turned the dream into reality when The Dorf-
The Dorfman Chapel has always been at
man Chapel opened its doors in 2001. The
the forefront of technology. Its user-friendly
group's continual involvement and guidance
website provides daily notifications of funer-
keep The Dorfman Chapel moving forward in
als, email condolences, reminders of yahrzeit
its commitment to the community.
dates and audio coverage of the funerals.
Following the philosophy that The Dorfman
Families, to protect mourners' privacy, have
the option to create a password to access live-
Chapel would function more as a service to
the Jewish community than a business, even
streaming of the funeral on the computer. The
the selection and design of the building cater
chapel records a version for those unable to
to that ideal. Farmington Hills, the epicenter of
view at the time of the service. Those without
Detroit's Jewish community, also affords easy
access to computers may receive mailed
access to 1-275, 1-696 and the Jewish cemeter-
yahrzeit reminders and may call the office any

16 BOOM Magazine • February 2015

time night or day for information or assistance.
The Dorfman family reaches out to the
community in various ways such as supplying
magazines to senior centers and distribut-
ing thousands of beautiful Jewish calendars
every year. A special project, the Kavod Hamet
Society, in partnership with B'nai Brith Great
Lakes Region, donates and places monuments
on unmarked Jewish graves at no charge to
families. Its goal is that no Jewish decedent in
Metro Detroit remain in an grave without a
proper Jewish headstone .
Families choose The Dorfman Chapel for the
convenient location, state-of-the art facility,
the most seating of any Jewish funeral home
in the Metro area, and the most on-site paved,
striped parking spaces of any Jewish funeral
home in Michigan. Most importantly, families
choose The Dorfman Chapel for the skilled,
honest, compassionate and professional care
provided by Alan and Jonathan Dorfman, both
licensed funeral directors, and Jonathan, a
licensed psychologist. Families appreciate the
Dorfmans' 24-hour-a-day availability. All this
has earned them the respect and trust of the
Jewish community and their fellow profession-
als.

■

THE DORFMAN CHAPEL

30440 W. 12 Mile Road

Farmington Hills, MI 48334

(248) 406-6003

Toll free: (866) 406-6003

Fax: (248) 406-6005

www.thedorfmanchapel.com