Jewish Funeral Rites Flashcards
- Thought to date back to the 16th century
- The first monotheistic religion
- Founded by Abraham
- Foundation for Christianity and Islam
- Based on the doctrine of one God, acient scriptures (Old Testament) and talmud
Judaism
Oral techings of the Torah.
Talmud
- The Orthodox
- The Reform
- The Conservative
Three Religious Jewish Groups
Continue the acient Jewish traditions and beliefs.
Orthodox
Allow greater flexibility and have adapted to modern practices.
Reform
Fit somewhere in between the Orthodox and Reform.
- Still follow ancient traidtions
- Accepted gradual chnges as a natrual growth of the religion
Conservative
All services and arrangements are under the direct supervision of the local Rabbi and a funeral director.
- Rabbi should be notified immediately
- If the death occurs on the Sabbath (Saturday), the Rabbi should be notified immediately after the end of the Sabbath.
- The group leader of the Chevra Kasisha Society should also be notified.
Notification of the Rabbi- Orthodox
- None made from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, unless death occurs in a public place and/or if the remains interfere with public health.
- If death was a violent cause, all blood stained clothing should be removed with the remains and placed in the casket with the remains. (to return the entire body back to the elements froom which it was created).
Removal of the Remains- Orthodox
Role begins when death has been definitely established.
Sacred Society
- Straw is placed on the floor and then covered with a sheet
- Chevra Kadisha unless the remains and carefully position the body on the sheet face up with feet facing the door
- The windows in the room are opened.
- Deceased is addressed by name in Hebrew and asked by participants to forgive any indignity.
- Prayers are recited while deceased is positioned.
- Limbs straightened, eyes closed and mouth and jaw may be tied with a handkerchief or piece of cloth.
- Block or pillow is placed under the head
- Candle is lit and placed at the head of the deceased.
- All mirrors are covered
- Need not be done before the Tahara
- Only observant Jews may handle the body
- Body should be covered at all times and handled with dignity and respect.
Laying Down (Hashkava)
A watchman who may remin in the room wiht the body within visual distance from the time of death until the funeral.
- Recites poems and traditional prayers in the presence of the deceased.
- Smoking, eating and unnecessary conversation are forbidden in the room with the body.
- Men or women may serve this role
- While deceased is refrigerated, this person should be able to see the door of the unit.
Shomer
The Shomer keeping watch over the deceased from the time of death until the time of the funeral.
The Watch (Shmira)
- If civil laws require embalming, they supercede laws and regulations of the synagogue. If embalmed, blood is placed in containers and placed in the casket along with the body.
- Begins with the rite of washing (Tahara)
- Aron
- Items prior to shrouding
Preparation of the Remains- Orthodox
- Leader may acquire necessary sundries needed prior to completing this task.
- In the event the deceased dies from a communicable disease, those performing this may wear protective garments and rubber gloves.
- If deceased is male, Chevra Kadisha would be men
- If deceased is female, Chevra Kadisha would be female.
Rite of Washing (Tahara)
Coffin or casket. A plain wooden pegged box without ornaments or lining. Contains no metal parts or animal glues. Holes may be bored in the bottom allowing the deceased to be closer to the earth.
Aron