Death
t w o  o b j e c t s

Death customs among the Jews underline the reverence for life and the respect paid to all human beings. In Judaism death is an integral part of the natural order. Generally, there is no belief in an afterlife and the person lives on in the remembrances of deeds done while alive. The artifacts and costuming of death clearly reflect this belief. In strict Orthodox tradition, the body is ritually washed (taharah) and then sprinkled with wine. It is dressed in undergarments, shirt, and socks, over which is placed a kitel that is held closed with a belt. All of these garments together are known as takhrikhin. They are made of white linen. The male body, in addition, is wrapped in a prayer shawl from which one of the fringes has been removed.

           A candle is to be placed at the head of the closed coffin that is held together with wooden pegs. The funeral service and burial take place immediately but never on the Sabbath. Following the burial, all in attendance ritually wash their hands. Charity is an important part of Jewish death custom. In Europe, the Burial Society (Hevra Kaddisha) performs the taharah and oversees the proper burial rites. In the past, they collected and distributed monies for widows, orphans, poor brides, and the sick. Because of the spiritual significance attached to alms (charity [zedakah] will protect from death), the members of the society had special alms-boxes often in the shape of tankards with coin slots that were carried during the funeral procession. They were also to be filled on such occasions as weddings and circumcisions. Today, the custom of charity at the time of death still prevails. As flowers are not part of Jewish funeral decor, charity is given to honor the deceased.
more

           The expression of respect continues through the very specific mourning period. The first stage of mourning is called the shivah period. It lasts for seven days, during which the mourners remain home, sitting on low stools wearing slippers, not leather footwear. A memorial candle burns continuously for the seven days in the house of mourning and a minyan gathers at the house for the recital of prayers each morning and each evening. Sabbath prayers are said in synagogue with the recitation of Kaddish, a special prayer said in praise of God. Mourning for a spouse or parent is observed for eleven months. Yahrzeit is observed on the anniversary of the death every year thereafter. At that time, a yahrzeit  candle is lit in the home and often charity is provided as a memorial. Reform Judaism has simplified and shortened most of these customs.

           As it is written in the Book of Ecclesiastes, "The end of the matter, all having been heard, fear God, and keep His commandments; for this is the whole man."