Jewish ObituaryUnderstanding Shiva
The seven-day mourning period: its biblical origins, Talmudic sources, denominational practices, customs, and how to make a shiva call.
Resources
Guidance for mourning and remembrance
Clear, reverent guides to the traditions of Jewish death and mourning, written to help families and friends know what to do, what to expect, and how to honor a life.
Mourning and remembrance
The rhythms of Jewish mourning
Kaddish: The Mourner's Prayer
The Mourner's Kaddish in full, with transliteration, historical origins, and guidance on when and how it is recited.
Yahrzeit Explained
Commemorating a loved one's Hebrew-calendar anniversary of death, with the candle, kaddish, and customs of remembrance.
Planning an Unveiling Ceremony
The dedication of a headstone, typically eleven to twelve months after burial, and how families plan the service.
Funerals and burial
Customs of the funeral and the grave
Jewish Funeral Traditions
A complete guide to Jewish funeral customs, from preparation and tahara through burial, with sources from Torah and Talmud.
What Is a Chevra Kadisha?
The "holy society" that prepares the deceased for burial with dignity, and the sacred work of tahara.
Jewish Cemetery Customs and Etiquette
The customs of the Jewish cemetery and how visitors show proper respect at the graveside.
Jewish Funeral Costs
What a traditional Jewish funeral typically involves financially, and how families can plan for the expenses with clarity.
Regional burial guides
Traditional Jewish burial infrastructure by region
Traditional Jewish Burial Provider Guide
A practical directory-style guide to funeral homes, chevra kadisha networks, synagogue-led support, and regional care models.
Mid-Atlantic Traditional Burial Providers
A regional guide covering Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, with provider notes and local care patterns.
New York, New Jersey, and Delaware Burial Guide
A regional study of dense Orthodox funeral infrastructure and synagogue-led chevra kadisha support in smaller communities.
Writing and guidance
Putting a life into words
How to Write a Meaningful Jewish Obituary
A step-by-step guide to honoring a loved one with a tribute that reflects their life and their Jewish heritage.
Writing Obituaries for Holocaust Survivors
How to write tributes for Holocaust survivors with the sensitivity their testimony and resilience deserve.
Hebrew-English Mourning Glossary
A reference glossary of the Hebrew and English terms used across Jewish mourning, funerals, and remembrance.
When you are ready
From tradition to a lasting tribute
Find a Jewish funeral home near you, or create a memorial page with a biography, a candle, and a guestbook open for family and friends to share their memories.