What to expect at Jewish Funerals: Customs and Traditions

Summary

In Jewish tradition, a 'levaya' or funeral is a compassionate act of accompanying the deceased to their final resting place. The service, often devoid of flowers and open caskets, involves prayers, psalms, and eulogies. Following the burial, participants show support by forming lines for mourners to pass through. A unique custom includes shoveling dirt onto the grave without handing the shovel to the next person. After the service, the community begins the Shiva period, marked by specific rituals, signifying the transition from mourning to living.

Takeaways

• 🕍 The Jewish term for funeral is 'levaya', symbolizing the act of accompanying the deceased to their final resting place.
• 👮 Men, including non-Jews, are expected to cover their heads during the Jewish funeral service.
• 🚫 Traditional Jewish funerals do not feature an open casket, as it is considered disrespectful.
• 💐 Flowers are typically absent from Jewish funerals, as they symbolize life, contrasting with the theme of death.
• 🕊 Interaction with the immediate family of the deceased is usually postponed until after the funeral service.
• 🙏 The funeral service includes prayers, psalms, and a eulogy to honor the deceased.
• 🚶 Pallbearers are called to the front after the service, and there's a specific order for carrying and exiting with the casket.
• 🏔 At the cemetery, participants shovel or throw dirt onto the grave, a ritual that carries deep significance in Jewish tradition.
• 🔨 The shovel used for the burial is not passed but returned to the dirt, emphasizing the importance of the mitzvah (commandment).
• 🤝 After the burial, community members form lines for mourners to pass through, showing support and unity.
• 🌐 A common phrase of comfort used is 'HaMakom y'nachem etkhem b'tokh sh'ar aveilei Tzion v'Yrushalayim', meaning 'May God comfort you'.
• 🛁 Washing hands without drying them upon leaving the cemetery signifies a transition from the realm of death to life.
• 🕊 The Shiva period, lasting seven days, begins after the funeral and is filled with significant rituals and customs.

Q & A

What is the Hebrew word for funeral in Judaism and what does it signify?

The Hebrew word for funeral in Judaism is 'levaya' (לְוָיָה), which means accompanying. It signifies the act of accompanying a person to their final resting place as an act of love and kindness.

Where might a Jewish funeral typically start?

A Jewish funeral may start at a funeral home, a synagogue, or directly at the graveside.

What is the expectation regarding head covering for men, including non-Jews, at a Jewish funeral?

Men, including non-Jews, are often expected to cover their heads during a Jewish funeral.

Why is an open casket traditionally considered disrespectful in Jewish practice?

An open casket is traditionally considered disrespectful in Jewish practice as it goes against the beliefs and customs of the religion.

Why are flowers generally not present at a Jewish funeral?

Flowers are not usually present at a Jewish funeral because they represent life, and the funeral is a time about death.

What is the usual protocol for interacting with the immediate family of mourners during a Jewish funeral?

It is unlikely that one would talk to the immediate family of mourners until after the funeral, depending on the community.

What are the main components of a Jewish funeral service?

The main components of a Jewish funeral service include prayers, psalms, and a eulogy.

Who are typically called to the front after the funeral service, and what happens next?

The pallbearers are generally called to the front after the service. Everyone rises as the casket is carried out, followed by the immediate mourners and the rest of the attendees.

What is the significance of shoveling or throwing a handful of dirt onto the grave at a Jewish burial?

Shoveling or throwing a handful of dirt onto the grave is a powerful and important mitzvah (מִצְוָה), meaning 'commandment', symbolizing participation in the burial.

What is the significance of not handing the shovel to the next person during the burial?

Not handing the shovel to the next person and instead sticking it back into the dirt is a part of the mitzvah, signifying the individual participation in the burial act.

What is the traditional phrase said to mourners as they pass through the lines formed by the community after the burial?

The traditional phrase said to mourners is 'HaMakom y'nachem etkhem b'tokh sh'ar aveilei Tzion v'Yrushalayim', or in English, 'May God comfort you'.

What is the significance of washing hands without drying them when leaving the cemetery in Jewish tradition?

Washing hands without drying them is a symbol of leaving a place of death and reentering the world of the living.

What does the term 'Shiva' signify in the Jewish mourning tradition?

Shiva (שבעה‎) signifies the seven-day mourning period that begins after the burial, involving various rituals and customs.

Outlines

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🕍 Jewish Funeral Etiquette and Practices

This paragraph outlines the Jewish funeral customs, known as 'levaya', which signifies accompanying the deceased to their final resting place. It emphasizes the importance of respect and kindness during this rite. The script details the expected conduct, such as head covering for men, the absence of open caskets and flowers, and the protocol for interacting with the mourners. The funeral service includes prayers, psalms, and a eulogy, followed by a procession to the cemetery where attendees participate in the burial ritual. The use of a shovel to symbolically show support and the washing of hands upon leaving the cemetery are also described. The paragraph concludes with a mention of the 'Shiva' period, a seven-day mourning ritual with its own set of customs.

Keywords

💡Levaya

Levaya, derived from the Hebrew 'לְוָיָה', is the term for 'funeral' in Judaism. It signifies the act of accompanying a person to their final resting place, embodying the values of love and kindness towards both the deceased and their family. In the script, levaya is introduced as the starting point for discussing Jewish funeral practices, highlighting its central role in the video's theme of honoring the deceased.

💡Head covering

In Jewish funerals, head covering is a common practice, with men, including non-Jews, expected to cover their heads as a sign of respect. This custom is mentioned in the script as one of the notable practices during a Jewish funeral, emphasizing the cultural and religious significance of modesty and reverence in such ceremonies.

💡Open casket

The script notes that an open casket is traditionally considered disrespectful in Jewish practice, which contrasts with some other funeral customs. This detail underscores the importance of respecting the sanctity of the deceased's body and the unique approach to honoring the dead within the Jewish tradition.

💡Flowers

The absence of flowers at Jewish funerals is highlighted in the script as they symbolize life, and the focus of the funeral is on death. This choice reflects the specific cultural and religious beliefs about the appropriate ways to mourn and the symbolism associated with different elements of the ceremony.

💡Immediate family of mourners

The script mentions that it is unlikely to interact with the immediate family of mourners until after the funeral service. This custom is part of the respectful distance given to allow the family to process their grief privately, which is a key aspect of the support and consideration extended to the bereaved in Jewish tradition.

💡Pallbearers

Pallbearers play a significant role in Jewish funerals, as they are called to the front after the service and carry the casket from the hearse to the grave. The script describes this process, illustrating the communal support and the physical act of honoring the deceased through the act of carrying the casket.

💡Cemetery rituals

The script describes the rituals performed at the cemetery, including the lowering of the casket and the saying of additional prayers. These rituals are integral to the Jewish funeral ceremony, symbolizing the final farewell and the communal participation in the burial process.

💡Shovel dirt

Throwing a handful of dirt onto the grave is a powerful and important mitzvah, or commandment, in Jewish funerals. The script explains that participants should not hand the shovel to the next person but rather place it back into the dirt, emphasizing the personal and individual nature of this act of mourning.

💡Community support

The script mentions the formation of two parallel lines through which the mourners pass after the burial, symbolizing the community's unity and support. This act is a visual representation of the collective care and solidarity extended to the bereaved, which is a central theme in the video.

💡Shiva

Shiva, meaning 'seven' in Hebrew, is the seven-day mourning period following a Jewish funeral. The script teases the next part of the series, which will delve into the customs of Shiva, indicating its significance as a continuation of the mourning process and an integral part of Jewish funeral rites.

💡HaMakom

The phrase 'HaMakom y'nachem etkhem b'tokh sh'ar aveilei Tzion v'Yrushalayim' is a traditional condolence phrase mentioned in the script, which translates to 'May God comfort you.' It is an example of the scriptural and communal support offered to mourners, reflecting the deep cultural and religious roots of consolation in Jewish tradition.

💡Washing hands

The script describes the custom of washing hands without drying them after leaving the cemetery, symbolizing the transition from a place of death back to the world of the living. This act is a physical and symbolic ritual that marks the end of the burial ceremony and the beginning of the mourning period.

Highlights

The word for funeral in Judaism is 'levaya', meaning accompanying, symbolizing an act of love and kindness for the deceased and their family.

Jewish funerals may start at a funeral home, synagogue, or graveside, with specific practices to be followed.

Men, including non-Jews, are expected to cover their heads during the funeral as a sign of respect.

Open caskets are traditionally considered disrespectful in Jewish funeral practice.

Flowers are usually absent from Jewish funerals as they represent life, contrasting with the theme of death.

Talking to the immediate family of mourners is typically avoided until after the funeral service.

The funeral service includes prayers, psalms, and a eulogy to honor the deceased.

Pallbearers are called to the front after the service to carry the casket out with everyone standing.

Immediate mourners walk behind the casket, followed by everyone else in procession to the cemetery.

At the cemetery, pallbearers carry the casket to the grave for lowering and additional prayers.

Participants shovel or throw a handful of dirt onto the grave, often three times, as a mitzvah or commandment.

The shovel should be placed back into the dirt rather than handed to the next person, maintaining the significance of the act.

After the burial, two parallel lines are formed for mourners to pass through, symbolizing community support.

People often say 'HaMakom y'nachem etkhem b'tokh sh'ar aveilei Tzion v'Yrushalayim', offering comfort to the mourners.

It is customary to wash hands without drying them when leaving the cemetery, signifying a transition from death to life.

The Shiva period, meaning 'seven', begins after the burial, featuring many powerful rituals.

Learning about the customs of Shiva and making a shiva call is part of the mourning process in Judaism.

Transcripts

The word for funeral in Judaism is levaya (“לְוָיָה” Hebrew for “funeral”),

which means accompanying.

To accompany a person to their final resting place

is an act of love and kindness for both the deceased and their family.

The funeral may start at a funeral home, a synagogue or graveside,

and there are a few practices worth noting.

Men, even Non-Jews, are often expected to cover their heads.

Don’t expect an open casket as it’s traditionally considered disrespectful in Jewish practice.

Note there probably won’t be any flowers, as they represent life and this is a time

about death.

Depending on the community, it’s unlikely you’ll talk to the immediate family of mourners

until after the funeral.

The funeral involves prayers, psalms and a eulogy,

After the service, the pallbearers are generally called to the

front.

Everyone rises as the casket is carried out.

Immediate mourners walk behind the casket, and everyone else follows.

At the cemetery, the pallbearers carry the casket

from the hearse to the grave where it’s then lowered

and you say a few more prayers.

Then each person shovels or throws a handful of dirt onto the grave

some do this three times.

Don’t hand the shovel to the next person just stick it back into the dirt,

as this powerful and important mitzvah (“מִצְוָה” meaning "commandment”)

At the conclusion you’ll form two parallel lines that the mourners pass through

a symbol of the community joining together to show support.

While they walk through the line, one thing people say is,

"HaMakom y'nachem etkhem b'tokh sh'ar aveilei Tzion v'Yrushalayim”

or simply, “May God comfort you.”

When leaving the cemetery, it’s customary to wash your hands without

drying them, a symbol that you’re leaving a place of

death and reentering the world of the living.

Now begins the Shiva (“שבעה‎”, meaning "seven”) period,

with many powerful rituals to learn about.

Learn about the customs of Shiva (“שבעה‎”, meaning "seven”),

and how to make a shiva call in the next part of this series.