Funerals

Question 1

Time span which funeral may happen in

Answer 1

24 hours in order to honour and follow Jewish law

Question 2

What is the Chevra Kaddish

Answer 2

• Sacred society which prepare the body for the funeral/burial by washing the body and wrapping it in white shrouds
• volunteers of the community

Question 3

What is the symbolism of the white shrouds

Answer 3

Equality in death
Everyone is from the same origin, no one is greater than the other

Question 4

What does this verse tell us
“For dust you are and to dust you will return” - Genesis 3:19

Answer 4

• life’s cycle
• everything is temporary
• everyone is equal

Question 5

What is Shiva

Answer 5

• 7 day long mourning period straight after the burial
• mourners stay home and do not do any daily tasks
• they have visitors to provide support and comfort
• mirrors are all covered to have maximum reflection and focus

Question 6

What is Sheloshim

Answer 6

• 30 days after shiva
• mourners return to work and daily life but avoid celebrations
• they continue to say the Kaddish daily (prayer praising God)

Question 7

What is the Yahrzeit

Answer 7

• one year anniversary of the death
• families recite the Kaddish over a lighten candle (symbolising the ner tamid)
• it acts as a time to reflect remember and honour the deceased

Question 8

One strength and weakness of shiva

Answer 8

Strength - gives the mourners time to reflect and process their emotions
Weakness - makes them focus and think only about the death person which can lead to a deeper depression

Question 9

One strength and weakness of Sheloshim

Answer 9

Strength - makes the transition into normal life more smoother and easier
Weakness - can lead the mourner to feel disconnected from the community as they do not attend ceremonies

Question 10

One strength and weakness of Yahrzeit

Answer 10

Strength - shows the dead person is not forgotten and acts as a way to honour them
Weakness - could restart the mourning process

Question 11

What are the main focuses of a Jewish funeral + where do they normally happen

Answer 11

Prayers, eulogies, psalms, Kaddish recited
They take place at synagogue or graveside or funeral homes

Question 12

What happens immediately after death

Answer 12

The shema prayer is recited
Body is treated with respect and never left alone (shmirah)
Psalms may be recited

Question 13

Graveside rituals

Answer 13

• body is placed in a simple wooden coffin
• family members put in a handful of dirt in as an act of kindness

Question 14

What are the 3 steps of the chevra kaddisha

Answer 14

• taharah (purification) - body is washed in order to purify it
• prayers are recited while performing the ritual, asking for the deceased’s soul to rest in peace
• body is dressed in white shrouds to symbolise purity and equality in death