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What To Learn When Engaging Jewish Funeral Traditions
Following Jewish funeral traditions, mourners should never leave the deceased unattended. A Shomer, or "watchcmen", must stay with the deceased from their death until the time of the funeral and burial. The family typically supplies the watchmen and other family and close friends in mourning will stay with the body as well. Upon a death, the family must first call the rabbi, who will proceed with funeral arrangements and set a time for the funeral. Funerals are in the temple or synagoge, although modern Jews often hold graveside services only.
Unlike other funeral traditions, it is a Jewish custom to not view the body after death; it is seen as disrespectful since the deceased cannot look back. For this reason, Jewish funerals are typically closed casket.
Unless it is required by local laws, Jews do not take part in the embalming process, which is used for sanitation and temporary preservation of the body. Instead, the sacred society, called the Chevra Kadisha, prepares the body for burial. They perform the Taharah, a type of Jewish purification.
The body is first ritually bathed and then dressed in the Tachrichim, or shrouds, the traditional burial garment. It is a simple white garment that contains no pockets. This symbolizes the fact that the deceased takes nothing with them when they depart this world and that God will not judge on material possessions but rather their deeds and merits.
Families are able to choose their own caskets and make decisions regarding funeral details, however Jewish custom calls for wooden caskets with no metal and no flowers at the funeral.
The funeral typically takes between 20 and 30 minutes in which the rabbi with conduct a reading of the Psalms, other chosen Scripture readings, and a reading of the eulogy. Prior to or following the service, family and other mourners conduct the K'riah, or rendering of the garment, where they tear their clothes or place a black ribbon on their clothes. This shows others that they are in mourning for the deceased. These Jewish funeral traditions have been somewhat modified over time, but are generally followed by most Jews.
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