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Basics You Need To Know About Jewish Funeral Services
Certain rituals are normally performed at a Jewish funeral. These rituals vary, mainly depending on which community the deceased is from and the person who is officiating the wedding. Some officials are quite strict in observing that all rituals are performed as required, while others are flexible. The customs carried out aim at showing respect to the deceased as well as the mourners.
Burial should take place as soon as possible. This is normally on the same day that the person has died. However, since it is not always possible to have all the family members around when the person dies, it may be necessary to delay the burial for sometime until all the mourners have arrived. It is up to the family to decide if they will delay the burial or not.
The casket is normally kept sealed at the memorial service. It is generally considered rude to look at someone who cannot look back at you. A plain and simple coffin is used. The coffin should be made from wood only as not metal parts are allowed, as metal does not decompose.
Preservation of the body through embalming is not allowed, unless demanded by local laws for health reasons. This is to allow the body to decompose naturally. If the family wishes, they can call a pious society of men and women who have devoted themselves to the task of cleaning and dressing dead bodies as required by tradition.
The burial ceremony does not take a long time. It can be completed in less than half an hour. Flowers are normally considered as frivolous adornments, so they are often avoided at burials. If you wish, you can choose to have a small floral tribute, as long as the officiant is not opposed to it. Mourners cannot talk to the attendees until the whole burial ceremony is over.
At a Jewish funeral, the attendees form a double line when leaving the site after the burial. The family members of the deceased walk through the pathway that has been formed. This gives an opportunity to the attendees to greet and offer words of comfort to the bereaved.
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