Resources

When a Jewish Loved One Dies

When a Jewish loved one dies…will you know what to do? 

In the event of death, turn to your community. Before calling a funeral company, you may wish to call your synagogue or temple and speak with the Rabbi, a Bereavement or Support Committee member, the director or an officer. To avoid confusion and diminish the pressures of making arrangements, you would be wise to become acquainted with the services offered by your synagogue or temple before the time of urgent need.

A Basic Guide to Jewish Funeral Practice

Before making funeral arrangements, it is helpful to understand the basic principles and practices concerning death and mourning to which all branches of Judaism subscribe:

  • The Body is Holy. It once held life and retains its sanctity after death. Traditionally, it is accorded the greatest respect and is accompanied from death to burial. It is not desecrated by embalming or cremation. Once the body is placed in the casket, the casket is closed and there is no "viewing."

  • Death is part of Nature. Nothing is done to mask the reality of death. Traditionally, cosmetics are not applied, and embalming is not practiced. The funeral and burial are usually a day or two following death. The body's elements return to nature. 

  • Equality and Simplicity. Ostentation is avoided. The same dignity and simplicity is adhered to for rich and poor alike. Traditionally, the body is dressed in simple white garments (tachrichim) and buried in a plain wooden casket with no ornamentation.

  • Funeral and Burial. Funeral services consist of Psalms and other Biblical readings, the prayer, "God, full of mercy," and one or more eulogies. Traditionally, there are no floral displays or music and burial is in the earth in a Jewish cemetery, where the bereaved family first says the Kaddish prayer.

  • Comforting the Bereaved. After burial, concern is for the living. Friends and family comfort the bereaved, providing a meal of condolence at their home and visiting them during Shivah, the initial mourning period of up to seven days following burial.

Arranging a Jewish Funeral in the Greater Washington Area

If you belong to a synagogue, first contact its clergy, office staff or funeral committee. If you are unaffiliated with a synagogue, directly contact:

In the District of Columbia and Maryland:

Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home
11800 New Hampshire Avenue
Silver Spring, MD 20904
301-622-2290

In Virginia:

Cunningham Turch Funeral Home
811 Cameron Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703-549-180

When calling either funeral home be sure to ask for the "Jewish Funeral Package."

How We Can Help

The Jewish Funeral Practices Committee of Greater Washington is prepared to assist congregations and their funeral and bereavement support committees by:

  • Assisting in the formation and organization of a committee

  • Supplying resources materials such as sample checklists, educational guides, and readings

  • Providing speakers

  • Providing access to contractual arrangements to provide a quality traditional Jewish funeral at a fixed modest cost 

The JFPCGW provides services to congregations, committees, and other organizations. We will respond to questions from individuals as best we can. Contact us if you have any questions.