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•  Funeral Services & Tips

•  Mortuary List & Tips

•  Cemetery List & Tips

•  Obituary Glossary & Tips

•  Cremation Tips

•  Memorial Music Tips

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•  Sympathy Quotes & Tips

•  Urns Glossary & Tips

•  Caskets Glossary & Tips

•  Funeral Cost & Tips

•  Funeral Flowers & Tips

•  Funeral Homes Tips

Basics You Should Know When Visiting A Jewish Funeral Service

The requirements of Jewish Funeral Etiquette share many of the features of any memorial service. The customs surrounding this time for mourning include sharing pleasant memories of the lost loved one and paying your last respects. The rules of etiquette that apply to the burial customs of this religion have many similarities to all funerals.

From time of death, the body of the deceased is to be observed continuously until it is buried. Usually a family member oversees the preparation for the burial ceremony. During the washing it is traditional to keep the body facing up.

Custom mandates that men prepare men for burial and women prepare women. Each will be dressed in a simple white shroud. This assures that rich and poor are buried with an equal amount of dignity.

A wooden coffin is used because a body is supposed to turn to dust eventually. Holes are drilled in the bottom of the casket for that reason. People show sorrow by tearing at their outer clothing.

The decedent must be returned to the earth within 48 hours of passing away. According to Jewish custom, the casket is always closed. A rabbi prays in Hebrew. The family members may all contribute to delivering the eulogy.

Careful attention is required during the service to show reverence. Everyone is supposed to wear dark, conservative clothing to the service. Casual clothing is not allowed. Even open toed shoes are forbidden.

The group at the graveside service is all relatives. After the burial, the family observes a time of mourning called sitting shiva. During that time neighbors and friends visit and bring gifts of food.

Kosher foods and other meals are all acceptable gifts. The family is supposed to be able to avoid cooking during the mourning period. Visitors share memories of the deceased in the form of anecdotes and stories. Jewish Funeral Etiquette encourages showing that the one who passed away will be missed and remembered.