Mi Yodeya Stack Exchange
Mi Yodeya Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [funeral-burial-levaya]

Questions pertaining to the funeral/burial process in Judaism

These questions refer to the Jewish practise that follows a person's death, including the process of the Levaya – לוויה (the funeral service lit. 'escorting' of the dead) and the Kevura - קבורה (burial).

184 questions
8
votes
2 answers

Closed caskets for Jewish burials

In the United States (and possibly other countries), what are the reasons behind Jewish funerals always having closed caskets?
Danny Miller
  • 183
  • 4
7
votes
1 answer

Burying on shelves, one on top of the other

Recently I read an article regarding burial in Israel. There seems to be a shortage of graves and therefore there are those that are using this method of burying 4 deep underground in order to alleviate the shortage of space. Are there any Halachic…
Gershon Gold
  • 139,471
  • 12
  • 231
  • 553
6
votes
1 answer

Is a cardboard coffin appropriate?

Inspired by the film Avatar (2009) In the opening scene of the film, set in the mid 22nd century, we see a non-Jewish funeral for the protagonist's brother, in which his body (in a cardboard aron) is put into an incinerator. While cremation is…
Noach MiFrankfurt
  • 12,969
  • 4
  • 25
  • 71
6
votes
2 answers

Burying face down in Judaism

I understand in other cultures burying face down is a sign of disgrace and is generally frowned upon. How is it viewed in Judaism? Is the position of the body at burial of concern? If a body is buried face down for whatever reason should it be…
user9050
  • 171
  • 3
5
votes
1 answer

Burial of a convert out of Judaism

A Jewish man converts to Christianity and becomes estranged from his family. When he dies, his next-of-kin is his brother. Is the brother obligated to bury the deceased as a Christian, or can he bury him as a Jew (which he never ceased to be)? Does…
Maurice Mizrahi
  • 21,770
  • 3
  • 15
  • 57
4
votes
1 answer

Going to a levayah (funeral)

Can I get some info on meaning or purpose of attending a levayah of someone you knew? Like what's the idea behind it?
yydl
  • 38,600
  • 6
  • 88
  • 285
2
votes
0 answers

Choral singing by non-Jewish mourners at Chabad funeral for one of its congregants

I recently attended a Hasidic (Lubavitch) funeral in Southeast Asia for a member of our community who was a righteous convert to the Jewish faith. The funeral was attended by members of our expat Jewish community and also by 200-300 non-Jewish…
Peter Point
  • 231
  • 2
  • 7
2
votes
1 answer

Subsequent burial of residual cremation remains

My grandmother's ashes were scattered at an unknown location by an in law that does not observe Jewish custom. I would like to retrieve the cremation urn as it may possibly contain a residue of her ashes. I am not ready to abandon her remains. Is it…
Asher
  • 21
  • 1
1
vote
0 answers

What should a Jew do at a funeral with an open casket?

If a Jew is invited to a non-Jewish funeral at which there will be an open coffin with a body inside, should a Jew not attend the funeral? Should he avoid looking at the corpse inside the coffin? (all assuming the deceased is not Jewish)
AviG
  • 277
  • 3
  • 7
1
vote
0 answers

May one use a machine to cover a grave?

I've seen various methods occurring during a burial. After the casket (or body) is laid in the grave, people shovel dirt to cover the grave up to a certain point (usually). After that, I've seen: Some rabbis say that only Jews should cover the…
DanF
  • 70,416
  • 8
  • 59
  • 244
1
vote
1 answer

Which way must a dead body's head "face"?

At several burials that I have attended, I noticed that they (I assume the funeral home) had written the word rosh ("head") on the top of the coffin, indicating which way the body's head was located. Before lowering the coffin, the rabbi indicated…
DanF
  • 70,416
  • 8
  • 59
  • 244
0
votes
1 answer

Has Yakov set a pattern that when planning is possible, we should value more being buried with our parents rather than with our cherished spouse?

In Genesis 49: 30 - 33 (Sefaria) 30 בַּמְּעָרָ֞ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר בִּשְׂדֵ֧ה הַמַּכְפֵּלָ֛ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר עַל־פְּנֵי־מַמְרֵ֖א בְּאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן אֲשֶׁר֩ קָנָ֨ה אַבְרָהָ֜ם אֶת־הַשָּׂדֶ֗ה מֵאֵ֛ת עֶפְרֹ֥ן הַחִתִּ֖י לַאֲחֻזַּת־קָֽבֶר׃ the cave which is in the field…
Pioni5777
  • 185
  • 1
  • 10
0
votes
3 answers

Looking for compilation of Burial halachot & minhagim

Based on what I have read on this site and heard from a rav, the majority of what most people currently do during burial is minhag rather than halacha. Is there a written or online compilation of halachot and minhagim (Ashkenaz, Sephardi, or others)…
DanF
  • 70,416
  • 8
  • 59
  • 244