Alfred Taubman's Example For Us All

E

ven months later, I am frequently
him than building a mall.
asked around our community
He wanted to plan every detail while
giving all in attendance and his family
about the funeral of A. Alfred
Taubman. I am honored to share the
that sense of confidence that he was at
experience that I, as funeral director
the helm, grateful for his blessed life
at Ira Kaufman Chapel in Southfield,
while letting everyone know how he
will always consider a highlight of my
wanted his family together over time in
career.
the 20-grave circle he had pur-
Mr. Taubman died April 17,
chased. Mr. Taubman owned
2015, at age 91, and was buried
homes all over the world, but
April 21 at Clover Hill Park
there was no doubt he claimed
Cemetery in Birmingham. The
Detroit as his "home:'
I cannot remember an
arrangements had been made
in Mr. Taubman's office amidst
arrangement of any kind that
his family and close advis-
was more enjoyable than this
ers, in a pre-arrangement four
meeting. It's hard for people to
David
years prior to his death where
understand this job can actual-
there was no doubt who was in Techn er
ly be enjoyable, but listening to
charge.
Comm entary
Mr. Taubman tell stories of his
life and his comfort in bringing
I walked in and was greeted
by this giant of a man with a
everyone together for this task
huge smile, and as we talked, it became
lacked any sense of sadness. "I am 86,
obvious that even planning his own
and if I dropped dead tomorrow, I will
funeral at age 86 was no different to
have had the best life, no regrets — I've

had a great ride!"
That initial meeting included a focus
on detail. Mr. Taumban wanted to be
involved with every detail — casket,
vault, monument, marker, number of
death certificates, which newspapers
worldwide to have notices in — every
detail resulting in laughter as Mr.
Taubman had comments and opinions
that continually made us smile.
After the meeting in his office, we
arranged a trip to the cemetery where
he wanted to learn "the lay of the land:'
There, he talked of where he wanted to
be buried and described his thoughts
of a monument he would soon design.
Little did I realize that Mr. Taubman
and an architect from the University of
Michigan's architectural school would
go to a granite quarry in Vermont to
hand-select what is now a magnificent
tribute to Mr. Taubman and his atten-
tion to detail.
While visiting friends in Sarasota, I

A. Alfred Taubman

received a call that Mr. Taubman had
his family at his home for Shabbat din-
ner and finished his dessert and with
his entire family surrounding him, he
peacefully died in what I believe he

continued on page 74

VIDEO TRIBUTES. An homage to a life well-lived.

At Hebrew Memorial Chapel, we never stop trying to find new ways to add meaning
to the funeral service. Recently, we began offering video tributes -- a photographic
montage celebrating the life of your loved one. This keepsake plays on video monitors
located throughout the chapel before or after the service, and on our website.

$0

HEBREW
MEMORIAL
CHAPEL

gg Your Community Chapel

=MEI

www.HebrewMemorial.org I 248-543-1622 I 800-736-5033 I 26640 Greenfield, Oak Park, MI 48237

November 26

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