|
 The
Jewish Funeral Directors of America
JEWISH
FUNERAL GUIDE
Jewish
law and tradition have endowed the funeral with profound religious
significance.
A
Jewish funeral should in every respect express the dignity, sanctity
and modesty of a solemn religious service.
The
following Guide lists the basic requirements of a Jewish funeral:
- Any
ostentation should be avoided, i.e., family and visitors should
reflect in dress and behavior the solemnity of the occasion. Flowers
and music have no place at the Jewish funeral service.
- Embalming
and viewing are contrary to Jewish law.
- Cremation
or above-ground burial is contrary to Jewish law.
- Interment
should not be unduly delayed.
JEWISH
LAW REQUIRES THE FOLLOWING...
- TAHARAH
/ PURIFICATION
The ritual washing and purification of the deceased by members
of the Chevra Kadisha, "The Sacred Society," or, in
its absence, by religiously and physically competent Jewish person.
- SHMEERAH
/ WATCHING
The watching over the deceased by a pious Jewish person. The deceased
should not be left unattended until interment is completed.
- TACHRICHIM
/ BURIAL GARMENTS
The traditional white burial shrouds symbolizing that all are
equal before their Creator.
- ORON
/ CASKET
The wooden casket, in keeping with the Biblical teaching, "dust
thou art and to dust thou shalt return."
- K'REEAH
/ TEARING OF GARMENTS
The rending of the mourners' outer garments, a symbol of their
anguish and grief.
- K'VURAH
/ BURIAL
The actual burial in the ground; filling in the grave with earth
until a mound is formed. To participate in filling the grave is
a religious privilege and duty. Kaddish cannot be recited at the
open grave-side.
For
questions relating to the Jewish Funeral Guide, please write to:
Rabbi Sidney Applbaum, Administrator, Tripartite Commission on Jewish
Funeral Standards, 11 Mount Court, East Brunswick, NJ (908) 651-6523.
|
