Jewish

• Before the funeral


  • The person tries to say the Shema before they die to reinforce their belief in one God
  • The deceased should be buried as soon as possible (within 24 hours)
  • Deceased should be washed and they will wear a simple white shroud
  • Funeral will be as plain as possible to show that in death rich and poor are alike
  • Some Jews will wear a tallit with the tzitzits cut off to show that they are free from the mitzvot
  • Mourners will make a tear in their clothes to represent grief
• During the funeral


  • Readings are read such as Pslam 23 'The Lord is my shepherd' to remind Jews that God has not abandoned them
  • No flowers are given and the service is short
• Shiva


  • Seven-day mourning ritual

  During Shiva the following acts must happen:

  • A candle is to be kept lit
  • All mirrors must be covered
  • Mourners stay at home
  • Do not shave or cut their hair
  • Sit on low stools
• Kaddish


  • A prayer publicly recited by mourners
  • Said 3 times a day
  • For the next 11 months the Kaddish is said every day

  From then on, the dead person is remembered each year on the anniversary of their death by lighting a Yahrzeit candle, Just before the first anniversary, a tombstone will be placed at the grave