Chabad Shliach Arranges Overnight Tahara Mission for New Hampshire Niftar

Chevra Kadisha team travels hundreds of miles to ensure proper burial rites for deceased community member.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 6:55am

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A late-night call prompted a Chabad shliach in New Hampshire to coordinate a remarkable overnight mission of chesed shel emes, as a group of devoted Chevra Kadisha members from New York traveled hundreds of miles to perform a proper taharah for a niftar when the local Chevra Kadisha was unable to do so. The shliach worked tirelessly to ensure the niftar received a proper kevurah despite complex circumstances.

Why it matters

This story highlights the dedication and commitment of the Jewish community to ensuring proper burial rites, even when faced with logistical challenges. It demonstrates the value placed on kavod hameis and the lengths the Chevra Kadisha will go to fulfill this mitzvah. The story also underscores the strong bonds within the Chabad community and the willingness of members to assist one another across state lines.

The details

After receiving a late-night call that a longtime Chabad shliach's community member had passed away in Concord, New Hampshire, the shliach immediately began coordinating arrangements for a proper taharah and kevurah. However, the local Chevra Kadisha determined they were not equipped to handle the situation, prompting the shliach to explore transferring the niftar to Boston. The niftar's sister objected, refusing to allow the body to be moved. With the levayah scheduled for the next morning and time running out, the shliach reached out to Rabbi Mordy Hecht in Crown Heights, who assembled a Chevra Kadisha team that departed New York around 9 PM and arrived at the funeral home in Concord around 1 AM, completing the taharah in just over an hour before returning to New York.

  • The shliach received the initial call late Wednesday night.
  • The Chevra Kadisha team from New York departed around 9 PM on Thursday and arrived in Concord around 1 AM on Friday.
  • The taharah was completed by 2:25 AM on Friday, just hours before the scheduled levayah.

The players

Chabad Shliach

A longtime Chabad shliach who has served the Jewish community in New Hampshire for over 36 years.

Rabbi Mordy Hecht

A rabbi in Crown Heights who immediately assembled a Chevra Kadisha team to travel to New Hampshire and perform the taharah.

Chevra Kadisha Team

A group of devoted Chevra Kadisha members from New York who traveled hundreds of miles overnight to ensure the niftar received a proper taharah.

Niftar's Sister

The sister of the deceased community member who objected to the niftar being transferred to Boston for the taharah.

Funeral Home Director

The director of the funeral home in Concord who was deeply moved by the dedication and determination of the Chevra Kadisha team.

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What they’re saying

“Without hesitation, Rabbi Hecht immediately began assembling a Chevra Kadisha team and committed to coming if necessary.”

— Chabad Shliach

What’s next

The shliach and local community will hold the levayah for the niftar on Friday morning as originally planned, after the Chevra Kadisha team from New York completed the taharah.

The takeaway

This story exemplifies the Jewish community's unwavering commitment to honoring the deceased and ensuring proper burial rites, even when faced with significant logistical challenges. It demonstrates the strong bonds and willingness to assist one another that exist within the Chabad network, as well as the dedication of the Chevra Kadisha to fulfilling the mitzvah of kavod hameis.