Jewish Funerals

Jewish funeral services may be held in the synagogue, in a funeral home, or at the gravesite. The funeral service is usually brief and simple. It usually includes the chanting of psalms and Eyl Malei Rahamim (the traditional memorial prayer), and a hesped (eulogy) honouring the deceased. Often the psalms and Eyl Malei Rahamim are chanted by the Cantor.

Carrying the casket

The pallbearers customarily stop seven times while carrying the casket to the grave. The mourners, family and friends follow the casket as a mark of respect.

Pall and pallbearers

At a funeral, the casket may be covered with a specially prepared cloth, called a pall, and is borne from the funeral service to the gravesite by family or friends (pallbearers) selected by the mourners.

K'vurah—Burial

In traditional practice, the casket is lowered into the earth and the grave filled, using a reversed shovel until a mound is formed over the casket. The Kaddish is recited at the grave after k'vurah is completed. There are different customs or variations and the Rabbi should be consulted.It is customary for the mourners to pass between two rows of people in attendance to receive traditional expressions of consolation. After burial, washing one's hands when leaving the cemetery or before entering the house of mourning is also traditional.

Non-Jewish spouse buried in a Jewish cemetery

As a rule, non-Jews may not be buried in a Jewish cemetery. The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards has considered several exceptions to this rule. The Rabbi should be consulted on this matter.

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