Jewish funeral traditions are based on centuries of Jewish customs, and have long adhered to beliefs in accordance with the teachings of the Torah.
If you are attending a Jewish funeral, it is important to know what these Jewish funeral traditions are and why they are important. Understanding these customs is an excellent way to honor the person who has passed away.
The Jewish Funeral Service
Just before the service the immediate family will gather together in a small room with the Rabbi for the traditional tearing of a garment. Usually this is done symbolically with black Kriaha ribbons worn by the mourners. The tearing of a garment is done as an outward sign of grief.
A Jewish funeral will typically be held at either a funeral home or at the cemetery itself, while occasionally being held in a synagogue. The service is designed to honor the deceased, and can include readings, eulogies, and the recitation of prayers.
At a traditional Jewish service, flowers are not appropriate. The family will usually suggest a charity to make a donation to that was important to their loved one or the family.
Tahara Preparations and Shomer ACCOMMODATIONS
When preparing the recently departed, a traditional Tahara with a Shomer is a common requirement for many Jewish Funeral Services. Louis Suburban Chapel can facilitate doing a Tahara and we can accomodate a Shomer as well.
For more information, please call us at 201-791-0015.
The Jewish Burial
In a traditional Jewish burial the deceased is usually buried in a simple wooden casket within a Jewish cemetery. Before being placed in the casket they will have undergone a ritual washing, called a Tahara, which is performed by chevra kadisha otherwise known as the designated caregivers. After the Tahara, the loved one is dressed in a burial shroud. Some Jewish families prefer to use the person’s own clothing, which Louis Suburban Chapel will accommodate. Also there can be a caregiver who watches over the deceased from the time they are brought into the funeral home until the burial, this person is referred to as a Shomer.
At the end of the cemetery service, the family and friends are usually asked to help fill in the grave by placing earth on top of the casket. This is what’s known as a true mitzvah and a good deed because it is not done by a stranger. Additionally, the person you are doing this true mitzvah for, cannot repay this good deed, so this is considered a form of altruism.
Jewish Mourning
Immediately after the burial the focus shifts to the family in mourning. The mourning period that directly follows the funeral is called Shiva. Traditionally Shiva is observed for 7 days. Although, Shiva can range from 1 day to 7 days. Typically during this period the family does not go to work, or school, and does not do any errands or chores as their time should strictly be used for mourning. The purpose of shiva is to acknowledge those feeling of grief and sadness. People are encouraged to share stories of the deceased, and there is usually a short prayer service, or Minyan, that is run by a Rabbi. It is appropriate at this time to bring an offering of Certified Kosher food to the family who is in mourning as they are not expected to cook during the Shiva period.
Funeral Services
At Louis Suburban Chapel, Inc., we’re committed to providing families with the best and most affordable funeral services and products. We also offer a diverse range of personalized funeral service options.
If you would like to know more about how we bring personal attention to the funeral services we offer, please read more below or call us at 201-791-0015.
The variety and quality of services we offer makes our funeral home a wise choice for you and your family. Each step, starting with our first meeting—through memorial service—and finally the funeral itself, is handled with dignity and decorum. At Louis Suburban Chapel, every detail is as significant as the entire process, and your every request is handled with ultimate care.
We assist families with all things that are needed at this most difficult time. These include removal of the deceased wherever the death has occurred, selecting a casket, taking care of the logistics and paperwork, filing for permits and Death Certificates, and sending an obituary to the local papers, if wanted by the family. If requested, our services may also include assisting you with purchasing a plot and monument, arranging limousine transportation for the family, or a private bus for friends, and other incidentals.
Louis Suburban Chapel offers what is known as a Traditional Jewish Service. The deceased is the focal point of the funeral service. The presence of the deceased often brings comfort, when it’s time to say goodbye. The family decides whether or not the body is to be accessible to the mourners, or whether the casket shall be open, or closed. The expressed wishes of the deceased, as well as his or her family, determine the best way to proceed with the funeral.
For the Russian-Jewish community, we can assist in providing the services of a Russian-speaking Rabbi.
Funeral arrangements include:
- Service location
- Time and Date of service
- Casket and outer burial container selection
- Cemetery for burial, mausoleum
- Rabbi, or other clergy to officiate
- The visitation
- Information for death notice and obituary
- The Eulogy
- Select speakers for the service
- The procession
- Shiva home determination
- Pallbearers selection
- Informing family and friends
- The committal service
- The gathering or reception
All of this is what makes Louis Suburban Chapel the right choice for your funeral needs.