Owner Profiles

The Dorfman Chapel is owned and operated by Alan and Jonathan Dorfman.

Alan Dorfman

Jonathan Dorfman

Alan H. Dorfman is the founder and owner of The Dorfman Chapel. The Dorfman name has symbolized caring and dignity in metro Detroit for many years. Alan's father, Harry, ran the Dorfman Drug Store in Detroit for more than three decades.

Alan began his mortuary career as an apprentice with the William R. Hamilton Funeral Home in Birmingham. He remained with Hamilton until the Hebrew Memorial Chapel offered him a job. Dorfman headed the Hebrew Memorial Chapel for over 20 years before he left to open on his own. In 1991, he founded the Alan H. Dorfman Funeral Direction, which focused on providing Jewish families graveside services, a lower cost alternative to the traditional chapel service. With Alan's professionalism and personal service, the business grew year after year until the Berkley location was too small for its needs.

Alan and his son Jonathan dreamed of opening their own funeral home together. They found a location in Farmington Hills, which was perfect for them, because they determined the city to be the epicenter of metro Detroit's Jewish population. When the Dorfman Chapel opened in 2001, it became the first new Jewish Funeral Home in metro Detroit in over 35 years.

Alan Dorfman graduated from Mumford High School in Detroit, then attended the Detroit Institute of Technology. He received his Mortuary Science degree from Worsham College in the Chicago area. Alan graduated in the top 10 percent of his class and received an award for restorative art. Alan is licensed in mortuary science in all 50 states.

Alan's wife, Stephanie, is a retired teacher from West Bloomfield High School. She also taught at numerous Jewish religious schools and supports a variety of charities. She now works as the secretary at The Dorfman Chapel.

In addition to their son Jonathan, the Dorfmans have two daughters, Lauren and Heather and now have eleven grandchildren.

Jonathan Dorfman is the co-owner of the Dorfman Chapel. Jonathan has helped hundreds of family members get through one of the most difficult times in their lives. He likes to ensure that families are treated with compassion, respect and dignity. As a psychologist, Jonathan is able to help the families through these hard times on a professional and personal level.

Jonathan also speaks on Jewish traditions. He is often invited to speak at temples, schools or synagogues and other institutions. In addition, he regularly leads tours of the new facility to local children and their parents. For many years, Jonathan organized and led local support groups for people who recently lost a loved one.

Jonathan earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Michigan State University. He later attended Wayne State University where he earned his bachelor's degree in mortuary science and his master's degree in marriage and family psychology. Jonathan graduated in the top 5% in both fields. Jonathan initially wanted to attend medical school, but later changed his mind and followed in his father's footsteps.

Besides work, Jonathan enjoys playing all sports and spending time with his family. He currently lives in Birmingham with his wife Julie, and their four children, Bryana, Cooper, Riley and Drew. Both Jonathan and Julie support various local charities, volunteering their time and energy.