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Basics You Should Expect When Learning Jewish Traditions For Funeral
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.
The Jewish custom calls for a closed casket and no viewing of the body because it is disrespectful to look at a person that is unable to look back.
Jews typically do not embalm the deceased, unless it is required by law. Instead, the Chevra Kadisha, a sacred society of Jewish followers, prepare the body for burial. They perform the Jewish Taharah, a purification process.
The body is bathed and dressed in shrouds, called Tachrichim, which is the traditional burial garment. It is a simple garment with no pockets that symbolizes the fact that we take nothing with us when we leave this world and that we will be judged by God on our deeds and merits and not material possessions.
While families choose their own caskets, Jewish tradition calls for unadorned caskets made of wood that contain no metal. The family also decides on funeral details, but there are typically no floral arrangements as this is seen as unnecessary and frivolous.
The actual funeral itself lasts around 20 or 30 minutes and consists of a reading of Psalms, other Scripture readings, and the eulogy. Either before or after the services, mourners perform K'riah, the rendering of the garment. While some mourners will tear their clothes, many people today simply attach a black ribbon to their clothing. As you can see, there are many Jewish funeral traditions that mourners of other faiths do not follow.
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