THE JEWISH BURIAL SOCIETY
The Jewish Burial Society, known in Hebrew as the Chevrah Kadisha, is a designated group comprised of pious and worthy individuals from the Jewish community. The term Chevrah Kadisha means “holy society”, for their work is of holy and sacred nature. In order to preserve proper dignity of the deceased, the Jewish Burial Society consists of two distinct groups: a group of men tend to deceased males, and a group of women tend to deceased females.
Each year, a special day of fasting, prayer, and introspection is held by the Chevrah Kadisha in view of the
holy responsibility they carry.
TAHARAH (CLEANSING)
The Taharah is the time honored purification process that prepares a Jewish person for burial. After the person has passed, the Chevrah Kadisha will be called upon to conduct this special service.
The group washes their hands in the ritual manner, and a memorial candle is lit. Before beginning the Taharah, the Hebrew name of the deceased is mentioned in a pledge that all preparations and tasks will be performed with the utmost honor and respect. Special prayers and verses of Torah are recited. Those present refrain from idle chatter and remain focused on their necessary tasks.
The deceased is delicately and thoroughly cleaned, and all foreign objects are carefully removed. After determining proper cleanliness, a designated measure of water is poured on the body, and the group announces “Tahor Hu” – “He/she is pure!”.
DRESSING
After the washing, the deceased is dressed by the Chevrah Kadisha in pure white garments (sometimes called shrouds). These white garments consist of a shirt, pants, a belt and a hat – the same four garments once worn by the High Priest in the Temple on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year.
All Jews, regardless of financial means and public stature, are dressed in the same clothing, emphasizing the equality of every person before G-d. The pure and elegant nature of these garments reflect the longstanding Jewish belief in the coming of the Messiah and the ‘resurrection of the dead’.
A Kittel – the white cloak traditionally donned on Yom Kippur is placed over the clothed body of the deceased, which is then wrapped in a Tallit. After this, the deceased is placed in a burial casket made entirely of wood. The casket is also of natural and modest nature.
Lastly, a small amount of earth from the Land of Israel is included with the body in the casket, thus giving each Jew the merit of returning to the sacred soil of our Holy Land.
SHMIRAH (GUARDING)
An important aspect in the honor given to the departed is the eort we make to ensure that from the
moment of passing until burial, the body is never le alone. is is called Shmirah (“guarding”). A Shomer
(“guard”) will stay in the funeral home in close proximity of the body, and will recite Psalms and Jewish
Prayers in memory of the deceased. Another important aspect in the honor given to the departed is the
Jewish tradition that a burial should be scheduled as close as possible to the time of passing, avoiding
excessive delay.
Kriyah (Rending a Garment)
An important part of the funeral service is Kriyah – the tearing of a significant garment by the immediate family of the deceased. Tearing a garment (traditionally a shirt or jacket) symbolizes the torn heart that the mourners experience during loss and grief. This is done at a designated time during the service, and the blessing of “Blessed is the True Judge” is generally recited by the mourners at this time.
Burial
It is a great Mitzvah to participate in a funeral and burial, as this shows respect and honor to the deceased. At the cemetery, the assembled should personally participate in the Mitzvah of burying the dead.
Shovels are used for this purpose, and Jewish custom is that one does not hand a shovel to another participant, rather the shovel is returned to the mound of earth for the next person to take by themselves. This portrays a reluctance and sadness in fulfilling the task at hand. Ideally, the grave should be filled until a mound of earth is formed on ground level, or at least until the entire surface of the coffin is covered with earth.
Kaddish
A central part of the funeral service is the recitation of Kaddish by the immediate relatives. Kaddish is the hallowed prayer and sanctification of G-d that is said in memory of a loved one, the first time being at the funeral itself.
At the end of the funeral service, the participants form two lines through which the immediate family pass through. As they do so, the assembled offer their initial condolences with the Hebrew words:
“Hamakom yenachem etchem betoch sha’ar aveiley Tzion v’Yerushalayim
(May G-d comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem).
For eleven months following the passing of a loved one, it is of incredible merit and importance that Kaddish be recited daily, as well as on the anniversary of their passing each year (Yahrtzeit). Many Synagogues have services three times a day where Kaddish can be said. If this is difficult for the immediate relatives, Kaddish may be said by others. There are several Jewish organizations who can arrange for Kaddish to be recited on behalf of a loved one.
Please note that this is merely an overview of the Jewish Burial Traditions; a quali ed Rabbi should be contacted for guidance on the particulars of these matters.
Text by Rabbi Mendel Dubov.