What Funeral Customs Exist Among Jews?

Jewish funerals are a significant part of Jewish tradition, with a focus on burial among fellow Jews in a Jewish cemetery. The hevra kadisha, a group of specially trained Jews, is responsible for handling the body of a deceased Jew and preparing it for burial. Strict procedures, including recitation of prayers and psalms, are followed. Men handle male bodies, and the service can take place in various locations.

A centerpiece of the Jewish funeral, dating back to Abraham’s burial of his wife Sarah 8, is the eulogy, which extolles the virtues of the departed. In recent times, many chassidic groups, including those from the Chassidic movement, have adopted more traditional practices surrounding death, burial, and mourning.

There are three major stages to preparing the body for burial: washing (rechitzah), ritual purification (taharah), and dressing (halbashah). The term taharah refers to both the overall process of burial preparation and the specific step of ritual purification.

During a Jewish funeral, the casket is brought to the grave, and the mourner’s prayer recital and lowering of the casket are performed. A graveside ceremony and prayers are also held, with the mourner’s presence being symbolic.

In Jewish tradition, burial should happen as soon as possible after death, with a simple coffin to show equality. The gathering of mourners is traditionally done after burial, with mourners not greeting attendees until after burial.

In summary, Jewish funerals are a significant part of Jewish culture, with a focus on burial, shiva, unveiling, and yahrzeit.

Why do Jews cover mirrors?

During the mourning period, Jewish customs dictate that mirrors in homes may be covered to avoid reflection and express sadness. Following the funeral, the family and guests are served a meal of condolence, often receiving meals from friends and family members. No additional items are required to attend a Shiva. The dress code for Shiva can vary, but it is recommended to wear business casual clothing, with no ties or jackets required for men and pants and skirts acceptable for women. This is a way for the family to express their feelings during this time.

Why don’t Jews have open caskets?

Jewish customs require a swift funeral and burial to honor the deceased, without embalming or opening the casket. This is considered a violation of the deceased’s modesty, as they cannot look back. Jewish funerals align with the principles of a “green burial”, which involves no embalming, natural fabric shrouds, and no metal in the casket. Some Jews believe that decomposition is the final step in the soul’s separation from the body. The casket must be simple and not ornate, and cannot be made on the Sabbath.

The entire casket must be made of biodegradable materials, such as oak, pine, poplar, redwood, and mahogany, with no metal or ornate designs. Many caskets have holes drilled in the bottom to allow dirt from the gravesite to enter. In the US, dirt from Israel is placed in the coffin before burial by the Sacred Burial Society.

What is the protocol when a Jewish person dies?

Jewish funerals typically occur shortly after death, with the funeral director instructing a Sacred Burial Society (hevra kaddisha) to prepare the body for burial. This final act of caring is called chesed shel emet, an ultimate kindness that cannot be repaid. Families considering cremation can consult their rabbi or Jewish funeral director for guidance. The funeral service can be held at a synagogue or funeral home, followed by burial at the cemetery. Some mourners choose to hold the funeral in the cemetery beside the grave.

Mourners traditionally tear their clothing or a small piece of black cloth provided by the rabbi or funeral director while reciting Baruch Dayan Emet, God is the True Judge. This symbolic tearing represents the end of the physical relationship between the mourner and their loved one, while emotional and/or spiritual relationships continue. Pallbearers escort the deceased from the funeral to the hearse and then from the hearse to the grave upon arriving at the cemetery.

Shiva, meaning “seven” in Hebrew, is the week of mourning following the funeral. Traditionally, shiva is observed for seven days, with a pause for Shabbat. Some mourners choose to observe shiva for a shorter number of days, but some may choose to sit shiva for a shorter number of days. A rabbi or cantor can guide on the number of days to sit shiva and designate specific times for members of the community to visit and offer condolences.

When families live in different communities, they may choose to sit shiva all together in the same place, sit shiva together in alternating locations, or sit shiva separately in their own communities. Families may also wish to designate one or more times for shiva on a video conference platform like Zoom or GoogleMeet to be comforted by family and friends who cannot be present in person.

A meal for the mourners is often provided upon their return from the cemetery, usually including round foods such as bagels or rolls and hard-boiled eggs. Jewish funeral homes will provide a memorial candle to be lit at the start of shiva, which is large enough to remain burning for the entire week. Religious services are frequently held in the house of mourning during shiva, allowing mourners to acknowledge their grief and recite the Mourner’s Kaddish prayer.

What are the rituals after death in Judaism?

In Jewish tradition, burial occurs promptly after death, with a simple coffin to symbolize equality. The ceremony takes place at a cemetery, not in a synagogue. Jewish public prayer, study, and assembly are also part of funeral services. Important rituals surrounding death include making a tear in clothing when hearing of a loved one’s death, washing and preparing the body for burial, and not leaving the body alone in the days before the funeral. These practices are part of Jewish public prayer, study, and assembly, and are integral to the Jewish faith.

Why do Jews bury their dead within 24 hours?

The Jewish tradition of burial is to take place within 24 hours of death, following the Torah. This is done to ensure the body remains unaltered for a night. However, funerals are not as quick outside Orthodox communities. Before burial, the deceased must be ritually washed by members of a “chevra kadisha”, or holy society, who are on call 24 hours a day. Men perform the ritual for males, while women do so for females. After washing, the deceased is clothed in a white linen shroud, a “tallit”, or prayer shawl, or a “kittel”, a white garment worn on the High Holidays and weddings.

How many days after death do Jews bury?

Jewish funerals are customs that aim to honor the dead and pay respects to the deceased. They should take place as soon after death as possible, ideally within a few days, and only allow close relatives to gather to pay their respects. In America, many Jewish communities limit the delay to three days. Burials should never take place on the Sabbath or Jewish holidays. Jews are traditionally buried in a Jewish cemetery, ideally among family members.

If this is not possible, Jews should be buried apart from non-Jews’ graves. Disinterment is forbidden, and graves that are opened or disturbed by elements or desecration are imposed immediately. Some Jewish communities, especially in North America, do not prohibit disinterment, especially for gathering family members into common ground.

A Jewish funeral is a symbolic farewell to the dead, often simple and brief. Before the funeral, the close family rends their garments or a symbolic ribbon. A eulogy or hesped may be recited at the home of the dead or at the cemetery, and psalms and a memorial prayer are often recited or sung. The body is escorted to the grave site by mourners before or after the spoken ceremony, showing respect.

What are Jewish traditions for burial?

In accordance with traditional Jewish practice, funerals entail burial, with mourners assuming a symbolic role through the placement of earth on the casket, designated as “the Chesed Shel Emet.” Subsequent to the burial, mourners recite the Mourner’s Kaddish and form a shura, a double line of funeral attendees facing each other, thereby creating a pathway for comfort and words of love.

Do Jewish bury their dead standing up?

The Passover seder process involves a ritual of nine kavim, where the body is washed, boarded, and placed in a standing position. Nine buckets of water are poured over the body, starting from the head and moving to the feet. The chevra announces in Hebrew, “She/He is pure”, and the table is tilted back into its flat position. In some communities, a mixture of raw egg, wine, and vinegar is daubed onto the body. An egg, symbolizing renewal of life, is applied to the head, chest, arms, and hands.

Rabbi Akiva recites a prayer before the body is dressed. The deceased may be dressed in their own clothes or white linen garments, reflecting the Kohen Gadol of the Temple. The process is crucial for the deceased’s spiritual renewal and the continuation of the Passover seder.

What is the 7 days after death in Judaism?

Shiva, meaning “seven” in Hebrew, is the week of mourning following a funeral. It traditionally lasts for seven days, with a pause for Shabbat. Some mourners choose to observe shiva for a shorter number of days, which may be shortened with the onset of some Jewish holidays. A rabbi or cantor can guide families on the number of days to sit shiva and designate specific times for community members to visit and offer condolences.

Meals are often provided upon the return from the cemetery, symbolizing the cycle of life. On the first day of shiva, a pitcher of water, a bowl, and towels are placed outside the house for ritual hand washing. Jewish funeral homes provide a memorial candle to be lit at the start of shiva, which remains burning for the entire week. Religious services are frequently held in the house of mourning during shiva, allowing mourners to acknowledge their grief and recite the Mourner’s Kaddish prayer.

During shiva, many Jewish mourners refrain from haircuts, shaving, laundry, washing/grooming, and wearing leather shoes. They may cover mirrors in their homes as a reminder that the focus is on their mourning and not their appearance. Some mourners may refrain from entertainment on computers, television, and the radio, reflecting that shiva is not “business as usual”.

While receiving visitors, mourners may be sitting on special chairs or other seating that is lower than usual. Some mourners welcome hearing and sharing stories and anecdotes about their loved one. As family and friends leave shiva, they may offer words of comfort to the mourners, such as “hamakom yinachem et-chem b’toch sh’ar avelei tzion v’yerushalayim”.

Synagogue services on the final days of Passover, Shavuot, Sukkot, and Yom Kippur also recite special yizkor (memorial) prayers for deceased relatives. A 24-hour candle is customarily lit on these days, without a blessing.

Why do Jews mourn for 11 months?

Shanah, a mourning period for parents, lasts 11 months after sheloshim, allowing children to express gratitude and reflect on their parents’ values and beliefs. Jewish tradition identifies several stages of mourning, starting immediately after a loved one’s death. Aninut, which starts with the death and continues through the funeral, is a time for families to plan funeral services and burials without expecting participation in prayer services or condolence calls.

Shiva, a seven-day period following burial, is when the bereaved remain at home, receiving support from friends and relatives. Some people observe shiva for shorter periods or only receive family and friends on the first day. These stages reflect the emotional phases and rituals that support and comfort the bereaved.

What days can Jews not be buried?

Jewish funerals are typically simple and brief, with the deceased placed in a degradable wooden coffin at the mortuary before the funeral service. The deceased is transported to the memorial site, which may include a chapel and graveside service, or just a graveside service. The sealed casket is taken from the hearse and escorted by mourners and community to the gravesite. The officiating person may walk in front of the coffin reciting selected verses, stopping momentarily with each reading. Interment is permitted on the second day of festivals, but is often discouraged.