Miscellaneous

When does a Jewish person have to be buried?

When does a Jewish person have to be buried?

According to Jewish law, the body must be interred as soon as practical from the time of death, which means that funeral planning begins immediately.

How is bereavement handled in a Jewish cemetery?

Some Jews pay an annual token membership fee to the chevra kadisha of their choice, so that when the time comes, the society will not only attend to the body of the deceased as befits Jewish law, but will also ensure burial in a plot that it controls at an appropriate nearby Jewish cemetery .

How long does it take for a Jewish funeral to take place?

Based on Jewish laws, traditions and customs, a Jewish funeral usually takes place within one day following the date of death and these are solemn and reflective services followed by a gathering at the mourner’s home, which marks the beginning of shiva. The first seven days following the funeral is known as shiva,…

Do you have to do embalming at a Jewish funeral?

Embalming and cosmetology are not generally used by Jews unless required by law. Depending on the degree of orthodoxy of the deceased, the rules around cremation may vary. For Orthodox Jews, cremation is not acceptable and the body should be buried, intact, in the ground.

What was the Jewish mourning period after death?

The body was to be buried soon after death and the burial was required to take place outside of the village where the individual lived, according to a Jewish law still in practice today (Baba Bathra 2, 9). The grieving period lasted from three to seven days.

What does the Jewish law say about the time of death?

It established this requirement by both a positive and a negative command. Positively, it stated, “Thou shalt surely bury him the same day.” Negatively, it warned, “His body shall not remain all night” ( Deuteronomy 21:23). Jewish law, therefore, demands that we bury the deceased within 24 hours following death.

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