Finding a specific name in the Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz memorial chapel obituaries isn’t always as straightforward as a quick Google search might suggest. Honestly, when you’re dealing with the loss of someone in the Cleveland Jewish community, the last thing you want is a digital goose chase.
Most people expect to find a single, definitive list. The reality? It's scattered. You’ve got the official Dignity Memorial portal, the legacy archives of the Cleveland Jewish News, and various local newspaper sites like Cleveland.com. Each one holds a piece of the story.
The Cleveland Connection: More Than Just a Name
Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz (BKB) has been a fixture in Cleveland Heights since 1958. But its roots go back way further—to the 1890s. When you look at these obituaries, you aren't just looking at death notices. You’re looking at the genealogy of a community.
Take a look at recent entries from early 2026. You’ll see names like Shirley Baskin, whose service was held right there on South Taylor Road. These notices often serve as a bridge. They connect the "Old World" traditions brought to Northeast Ohio with the modern lives of families in Beachwood, Shaker Heights, and Orange.
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Where the Obituaries Actually Live
If you’re hunting for a recent notice, don't just rely on a vague search.
- Dignity Memorial Site: Since BKB is part of the Dignity network, this is usually the fastest way to find service times. You can see names like Ina Burday or Dr. Kramer here, often with details about Shiva and where to send donations.
- Cleveland Jewish News: This is the gold standard for "the why" behind the person. Their obituaries tend to be more narrative.
- The YouTube Channel: This is a bit of a "hidden" resource. BKB often livestreams services. If you missed a service for someone like Howard Tucker MD or Sheila Horowitz, their YouTube channel often hosts the video archives.
Writing the Tribute: What People Get Wrong
Writing one of these isn't like filling out a form. It's easy to get caught up in the "survived by" list and forget the personality.
I’ve seen obituaries that read like a dry resume. That's a mistake. The best notices from Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz usually include the quirks. Did they love the Cavs? Were they a regular at Jack’s Deli? Mention it.
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The staff there—people like Stuart Berkowitz and Bart Bookatz—have been doing this for decades. Bart has over 50 years in the business. They'll tell you that the obituary is the first step in the grieving process. It’s the public acknowledgment that a life mattered.
What to Include (Specifically)
- Service Details: Be incredibly clear. If the service is at the chapel at 1985 S. Taylor Rd, say so. If it’s graveside only, emphasize that.
- The "In Lieu of Flowers" Trap: In Jewish tradition, flowers aren't really the thing. Most BKB obituaries will suggest a "Tzedakah" or charitable donation. Common ones in Cleveland include the Jewish Federation or University Hospitals.
- Shiva Information: This is vital. People need to know where and when they can visit the family.
The Digital Legacy Problem
One thing people don't talk about is how these obituaries disappear or change. A link that works today on a newspaper site might be behind a paywall in six months.
If you're a family member, download the PDF version. Print a few copies. Digital archives are great until they aren't. Websites get updated, and sometimes the "Guest Book" comments—where friends leave those heartfelt notes—get archived and become hard to find.
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Navigating the Archive
If you are doing genealogy, you'll need more than just the BKB website. The Western Reserve Historical Society is a massive help for older Cleveland Jewish obituaries.
Sometimes names get misspelled in the digital transition. If you can't find a record from the 70s or 80s, try searching just by the last name and the cemetery (like Mt. Olive or Ber Olam).
Practical Next Steps
- Verify the Source: If you see a notice on a random "obituary aggregator" site, double-check it against the Dignity Memorial BKB page.
- Check the Stream: If you can't travel to Cleveland, check their YouTube channel for the livestream link. It usually goes live about 10-15 minutes before the scheduled service time.
- Contact Directly: If you're truly stuck, just call them at 216-932-7900. They are there 24/7. Seriously.
- Preserve the Comments: If people are posting beautiful stories in the online guestbook, copy-paste them into a Word doc now. Don't assume that page will be free to access forever.
The Berkowitz-Kumin-Bookatz memorial chapel obituaries are more than just text. They are the record of a community that shows up for one another. Whether you’re looking for a friend or documenting your own family history, treat these notices as the living history they are.
Check the date. Verify the location. Honor the memory.