Michael D. Smith
Funeral Director and founder of Shalom Memorial Chapel
In February of 1999, Michael D. Smith founded Shalom Memorial Chapel because he believed there should be an independent, family-owned, Jewish funeral home in Rhode Island that could cater to the needs of the Jewish community.
Michael is the third generation of the Smith family to serve the Jewish community in Rhode Island. He has been helping families through their losses since 1984. His father, the late Jacob Smith, was a cantor and his grandfather, Meyer Smith, was the community’s mohel. His son, Adam G. Smith, is a director at Shalom Memorial Chapel with Michael, and represents the fourth generation of the Smith family serving the Jewish community.
An active member of the Jewish community, Michael is often asked to speak to various groups about Jewish funeral traditions and bereavement. He has served on the boards of many Jewish organizations including Touro Fraternal Association, where he was past president, the Oversight Committee of Shalom Apartments, Jewish Seniors Agency, West Bay Community Jewish Center and the Jewish War Veterans. In addition, Michael is a member of Redwood Lodge #35 A.F. & A.M. of the Masons, the American Legion and Providence and South Providence Hebrew Free Loan Associations. He formerly served on the board of the Chased Schel Amess Association and Temple Am David.
Michael was also the first Jewish President of the Rhode Island Funeral Directors Association and is active with the National Funeral Directors Association, where he sat on the National Policy Board. He is an active board member and a past vice president of KAVOD, The Independent Jewish Funeral Chapels Association.
Michael is a graduate of New England Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences at Mt. Ida College, where he earned a degree in Mortuary Science.
Michael lives in Warwick with his wife, Marilyn. They are both patrons of the arts and have a gallery in Shalom Memorial Chapel.