Jewish Funeral Rites

Aron

a casket made entirely of wood with no metal parts; it should not be opened once it is closed

Cantor

a religious singer who assists the clergy

Chevra Kadisha

a group of men or women who care for the dead

El Malei Rachamin

a memorial service, directly translated to “God full of compassion"; usually the last prayer of the service, sometimes just called Malei

Hesped

a eulogy or true evaluation of the deceased’s life that is part of a jewish funeral service

Kaddish

a prayer recited for the deceased by direct mourners

Kriah

a symbol of grief in which the shirt or pinned ribbon on the upper garment of survivors is torn or cut

Levaya

the funeral procession

Magen David

star of david; symbolizes new hope

Rabbi

a teacher or ordained leader in the jewish faith

Shabbat

the jewish sabbath; begins at sundown on Friday and ends at sundown on Saturday

Shivah

a seven day mourning period for parents, spouse, siblings, and children of the deceased

Shloshim

30 day mourning period

Shomer

a watcher; one who sits with the deceased, reading Psalms until burial

Synagogue

a place of religious worship in the jewish faith; may also be called the temple or Shul

Tachrichim

a hand-sewn, white linen shroud in which the deceased members of the jewish faith are dressed

Taharah

the ceremonial washing of the deceased before burial; a ritual purification or cleansing of the deceased, which should be performed by the Chevra Kaddisha

Tallith

a prayer shawl worn by jewish males during the mourning prayer service

Tehillim

prayers said before the funeral by a group of friends and the shomer

Yahrzeit

the anniversary of the death

Yizkor

a memorial service recited four times a year