Jewish funeral home looks outside family for next generation of funeral directors

Following the retirement of funeral directors Michael Kumin and Bart Bookatz earlier this year, Berkowitz- Kumin-Bookatz Memorial Chapel in Cleveland Heights is preparing to welcome its next generation of funeral directors.

The last remaining funeral director of his generation, Stuart Berkowitz, 82, told the Cleveland Jewish News that after 55 years of involvement and running the business, the funeral home will now undergo a transition in which three out of four up-and-coming funeral directors will be outside of the families that bear its name.

“It’s a family business and I want it to continue,” Berkowitz, a third-generation funeral director, said. “The business is changing, but a lot of businesses change. I just hope we can provide the same quality service to the community that we have