Jewish Funeral
Posted 01 Jun 2023
in Cultural Ceremonies
A Jewish funeral generally occurs within 24 hours after death and is a solemn ceremony that emphasises respect, ritual, prayer and community.
Jewish funerals can include
- Avelim
- Selected mourners with roles to perform before, during and after the service.
- Mitzvot (commandment)
- Helping loved ones find their final resting place by placing earth in the grave of a loved one. Comforting mourners with acts of support.
- Casket
- Simple caskets are traditionally used to ensure natural decomposition, this also includes no embalming and no casket adornments that are not wood.
- Gathering of mourners
- Mourners do not greet attendees until after the burial, family members gather in a separate room until the service begins
- Keriah (tearing)
- A black ribbon is placed on mourners’ outer garments to symbolise the tear in the fabric of the family after the death of a loved one
- Prayers, Hespeid (eulogy) and El Malei Rachamim
- Readings, chanting and passages from the book of Psalms, followed by silent prayer, a hespeid is delivered followed by prayer (El Malei Rachamim).
- Burial
- Mourners gather at the grave where prayers are recited. Earth is symbolically placed in the grave.
The information provided is a brief summary only and may not include all aspects of traditional funeral rites.
References & Links
What to expect at Jewish funerals
