Judaism
In Judaism, life is regarded as being extremely valuable. The Talmud (which interprets the holy book, the Torah) says that all people come from just one person. So, if you take a life its like killing the whole world. Euthanasia and suicide are strictly forbidden. In fact, any Jewish law can be broken if it is to safe a human life.
Care for the Dead
After a person dies:
Preparation for the burial:
- Close the eyes
- Put body on the floor and cover
- Light candles next to the body.
- As a sign of respect someone (the shomerim, from the root Shin-Mem-Reish, meaning "guards" or "keepers") must stay with the body. This person must not eat or drink in front of the body.
- People who have been with a dead body must wash their hands before entering a home.
- The chevra kaddisha (the holy society) are volunteers who care for the dead.
- Autopsies are only allowed where it saves the life of another person or it is the law of the country.
- Embalming is not allowed
Preparation for the burial:
- Wash the body
- Wrap in a simple linen shroud.
- The dress of the body should be simple, so that a poor person is the same as the rich person in death.
- The body is wrapped in a prayer shawl
- The body can not be cremated. It has to be buried in the earth.
- Coffins are not necessary, but if they are used, they must be simple and have holes drilled in them so the body can touch the earth.
- The coffin is never left open at funerals
- The body should be buried as soon as possible – the time from death to burial is called aninut.
- A tombstone should be prepared and put on the grave after one year.
The Funeral
The funeral takes place in the synagogue, or at the graveside.
Buying flowers are not part of Jewish tradition but people are asked to make a donation to a charity. Headscarves (kippot) are given to people attending the funeral.
Buying flowers are not part of Jewish tradition but people are asked to make a donation to a charity. Headscarves (kippot) are given to people attending the funeral.
At the GRaveside
A funeral ceremony may take place at a synagogue and then the ceremony will be short. A full funeral may take place just at the graveside.
At the end of the burial, soil is scattered on the body. The back of a spade is used for this to show that this is a special reason for using the spade.
Kaddish is a prayer recited in memory of the dead at the graveside. The prayer begins: "May His great Name grow exalted and sanctified in the world that He created as He willed. May He give reign to His kingship in your lifetimes and in your days ..."
People attending the burial form two lines from the grave. The family of the dead person walks in between the lines in order to receive support from their friends.
At the end of the burial, soil is scattered on the body. The back of a spade is used for this to show that this is a special reason for using the spade.
Kaddish is a prayer recited in memory of the dead at the graveside. The prayer begins: "May His great Name grow exalted and sanctified in the world that He created as He willed. May He give reign to His kingship in your lifetimes and in your days ..."
People attending the burial form two lines from the grave. The family of the dead person walks in between the lines in order to receive support from their friends.
Mourning
When a close relative heard of the death of a relative, it was traditional to show your sadness grief by tearing your clothing. The tear was made over the heart if the deceased was a parent, or over the right side of the chest for other relatives. Prayers were said while tearing the clothes. Nowadays, people wear a black ribbon and tear that.
During the aninut period, the family should be left alone and allowed to grieve.
After the burial, a close relative or friend makes the first meal for the mourners, the se'udat havra'ah (meal of condolence). This meal usually consists of eggs (a symbol of life) and bread.
The next time of mourning is the shiva (which means seven, because it lasts seven days). Shiva is carried out by the family all together in the dead person’s home. Shiva begins on the day of burial and carries on until the morning of the seventh day after burial.
Mourners sit on the floor, they do not wear leather shoes, do not shave or cut their hair, do not wear makeup, do not work, and do not do things for fun. Mourners wear the clothes that they tore at the time of learning of the death or at the funeral.
Mirrors in the house are covered. Prayers are said by friends, neighbors and relatives - the minyan (at least 10 people are required)
The next time of mourning is the shloshim (which means thirty, because it lasts until the 30th day after burial). During that period, the mourners do not attend parties, do not shave or cut their hair, and do not listen to music.
The last time of formal mourning is avelut, which is carried out only for a parent. This period lasts for twelve months after the burial. During that time, mourners avoid entertainment. For dead person says the Kaddish prayer every day.
When leaving a house of mourning, it is traditional for a visitor to say, "May the Lord comfort you with all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem."
During the aninut period, the family should be left alone and allowed to grieve.
After the burial, a close relative or friend makes the first meal for the mourners, the se'udat havra'ah (meal of condolence). This meal usually consists of eggs (a symbol of life) and bread.
The next time of mourning is the shiva (which means seven, because it lasts seven days). Shiva is carried out by the family all together in the dead person’s home. Shiva begins on the day of burial and carries on until the morning of the seventh day after burial.
Mourners sit on the floor, they do not wear leather shoes, do not shave or cut their hair, do not wear makeup, do not work, and do not do things for fun. Mourners wear the clothes that they tore at the time of learning of the death or at the funeral.
Mirrors in the house are covered. Prayers are said by friends, neighbors and relatives - the minyan (at least 10 people are required)
The next time of mourning is the shloshim (which means thirty, because it lasts until the 30th day after burial). During that period, the mourners do not attend parties, do not shave or cut their hair, and do not listen to music.
The last time of formal mourning is avelut, which is carried out only for a parent. This period lasts for twelve months after the burial. During that time, mourners avoid entertainment. For dead person says the Kaddish prayer every day.
When leaving a house of mourning, it is traditional for a visitor to say, "May the Lord comfort you with all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem."