Frequently Asked Questions Jewish Death, Burial Customs and Mourning Traditions 2.Question: How is the body of the deceased cared for? Answers: 1. From the time of death until burial the body of the deceased is not left unattended. A person always stays with the deceased. This person is called a “Shomer”, and while being with the deceased, the Shomer will read Psalms, and do nothing else, no eating, drinking or idle talking, etc. 2. Additionally, the community’s burial society, known as the “Chevra Kadisha”, ritually clean, prepare and dress the body of the deceased for burial, a process called “Taharah”. Mortuary practices, such as embalming or the applying of cosmetics and the like, are strictly forbidden. Unless there is no choice under the law, autopsies are never performed. 3. Since in Jewish Law, burial usually takes place within 24 hours of a person’s passing; refrigeration is hardly necessary. Burial may be delayed if close relatives have to travel long distances to get to the funeral or if the death takes place on the Sabbath or a Yom Tov, but burial should not be put off.
Posted on: Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:41:49 +0000
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