Planning a Jewish Funeral: What You Need to Know

Planning a Jewish Funeral: What You Need to Know – “Life is a beautiful lie, and death is a harsh truth.” Losing a loved one is a heartbreaking and emotional phase. Planning a funeral by taking care of all traditions and the last wishes of the departed soul can be overwhelming. Some significant customs and rituals should be considered when planning a Jewish funeral. In this blog, we will discuss Planning a Jewish Funeral: What You Need to Know, which will help you give a smooth and meaningful farewell to your loved ones by honoring Jewish customs.

As per Jewish law, a funeral of the Jewish individual should be followed and conducted with simplicity, dignity, and respect. The family of the deceased should immediately consult a reliable Rabbi when death occurs. Pre-planning is also encouraged in Judaism. For instance, if the loved one is seriously ill and shares the last wishes, this can signify that they are transitioning to the world to come. In such cases, you can pre-plan the arrangements for their funeral, including looking for a Rabbi, choosing the coffin, and others.

Hire Rabbi Ronald Broden For Funeral Services

When a loved one bids farewell, the stress and anxiety of navigating funeral arrangements can be painful and challenging. During this phase, emotional and spiritual support is pivotal in calming the heart by accepting God’s crafted destiny.

Rabbi Ron Broden understands your attachment and relationship with the deceased. We are here to smoothen your healing journey with our spiritual services. You don’t need to handle any stress about the funeral’s challenges. We will help you navigate every arrangement and deal with the challenges while honoring the departed and Jewish funeral traditions.

We will offer you meaningful guidance, spiritual comfort, and support throughout the mourning period. Furthermore, we are familiar with local cemeteries and burial locations. We will help you finalize the one that best suits your preferences, including a budget, travel distance, and emotional and physical & emotional state.

Being a well-versed Rabbi in Jewish traditions, our mission is to make your special celebration meaningful and wonderful and to deliver spiritual services with empathy that can solace the mourners and help them find peace amidst their most sorrowful times.

If you want to hire us for any Jewish ceremony, including a Jewish funeral, Bar/Bat Mitzvah ceremonies, Baby naming ceremonies, or Jewish interfaith weddings, or to know more about other lifecycle events, please call (917) 210-5807 or email info@jewish-ceremonies.com to schedule a consultation.

Planning a Jewish Funeral: What You Need to Know

Planning a funeral is very difficult. During the mourning period, you are not just suffering from unexpected loss but also an emotional burden of making all the right funeral decisions that meet the Jewish customs. So, we’ve put together all the essential traditions for Jewish funerals that you must know to ensure a respectful and hassle-free farewell to your loved ones.

1. Know The Loved One’s Last Wish

First, check if your loved one had any last wishes regarding their funeral. This will help you to bring peace to the departed soul in God’s world. It would help if you informed your rabbi when the death occurs so that the funeral can be conducted within the written timeframe in Jewish funeral traditions.

2. Burial Traditions

Per Jewish funeral law, the deceased should be buried within 24 hours. It can be late, but only under exceptional circumstances. Also, remember that Jewish funerals are not allowed on Shabbat (Saturday) or Jewish holidays.

3. Selecting The Burial Point

Always choose the right burial plot in a Jewish cemetery that meets the necessary preferences. Keep the comforts of close friends and relatives in mind while selecting the burial location.

4. Tahara, Tachrichim & Casket

In Judaism, there is a significant tradition in the funeral where the deceased is washed in a ritual bath known as Tahara by a sacred group or holy society called “Chevra Kadisha. They are well-versed in Jewish age-old funeral customs and carefully all of them. They respectfully wrapped the deceased body in white burial shrouds called “Tachrichim.” Choose a casket crafted with simple and long-lasting materials and no metal. You can choose a casket made with pine wood.

6. Funeral services

Traditionally, Jewish funeral services occur in the funeral home or graveside and are mainly conducted by a rabbi. It includes prayers, Torah readings, eulogies from the mourners, and close friends. Arrange meal services of consolation for the visitors after the funeral.

7. Shiva and Mourning Period

After the funeral and burial, the first-degree relatives or immediate family members followed the mourning period known as Shiva, which means seven in Hebrew. It offers time for the mourners to heal from the loss of their loved ones. During Shiva, mourners sit on low stools, cover mirrors, avoid new garments and hair trimming, and receive condolences and support from the visitors.

Winding Up!

So that was the final wrap of Planning a Jewish Funeral: What You Need to Know. During this challenging time, working with an experienced rabbi familiar with Jewish funeral practices is essential. It can provide the religious guidance and support needed to plan a meaningful and respectful service.

People May Also Ask For Planning a Jewish Funeral: What You Need to Know

Q1: Is embalming allowed in Jewish funerals?

Ans: Embalming is generally discouraged in Jewish funerals, as the body is usually buried as soon as possible after death, traditionally within 24 hours.

Q2: Can non-Jewish family members and friends attend a Jewish funeral?

Ans: Non-Jewish family members and friends can also attend a Jewish funeral. However, it is essential to respect the traditions and customs observed during the funeral service, such as wearing modest attires, avoiding videography, etc.

Q3: What are the restrictions during the Shiva period?

Ans: During Shiva, family members observe a period of mourning for seven days, in which they also follow some restrictions, including covering mirrors, avoiding shaving, hair trimming, and new garments, preventing participation in joyful activities, and so on. If you have any queries regarding Jewish funerals, feel free to contact us.