Mourning Process In Judaism

Judaism values life above all else and believes that all people come from one person. In Judaism death is a natural, meaningful part of life and is part of God’s plan. Judaism believes that life is so valuable that nothing should be done that would hasten the death process. The mourning process is structured in three stages: Shiva, Shloshim, Avelut. The mourning period is meant to honor the dead and comfort the love ones. Shiva is a seven day period for the family to mourn with close friends and family. Staying at home indoors is encouraged to keep from having to be seen in public and showing “public face”, which is considered inappropriate. Shiva begins immediately after the burial. Sholshim is the first thirty days after burial,

To show respect, the body is never left alone. Burial usually occurs with 24 hours after death, but allowances are sometimes made so family can travel or for arrangements to be finalized. The body is washed, not embalmed, and there is no public viewing of the body. Also, the Jewish people do not believe in cremation of the body. The body is buried in a plain, metal free wooden casket with holes drilled in top so the body comes into contact with the earth. The Kaddish prayer is recited after the coffin has been lowered and the grave filled. There is a meal of condolence, usually eggs and bread, prepared for the family. After the meal, condolence calls from friends are permitted. A tombstone is place anytime within the first year. There is a short unveiling ceremony where people recite Psalms and reminiscence about the deceased. There are special days for visiting the grave and a stone is left in place of flowers. The money spent on flowers can be given in a person’s memory to elevate their soul and the stone is left so people will know that someone visited. The stone is a symbol of eternity and will live on unlike the