#tw death process

Gets a little descriptive of the embalming process under the cut

Judaism is very clear on what you do immediately after someone dies. First, upon witnessing or hearing about a death, Jews traditionally recite a blessing:

Blessed are You, Eternal One our God, Universal Ruler, the True Judge.

You may also hear people use a shorter version: “Blessed is the one true Judge”. Then, everything done between death and the funeral focuses on respecting and honoring the person who has just died, as well as preparing for the funeral and burial.

Judaism believes that the funeral should happen as quickly after death as possible — preferably the same or next day, although the funeral is often postponed a day or two if family must travel from out of town. Also, funerals aren’t held on Shabbat or other holidays.

It’s also traditional for the body not to be left alone, and people take turns being a shomer (“guard”), reciting Psalms next to the deceased until the funeral. Sometimes people are paid to serve as a shomer.

Much of the focus in Jewish tradition regarding death revolves around returning the body to the earth in a consecrated Jewish cemetery as quickly and naturally as possible — a respectful appreciation that death is a natural part of life.

Just before the funeral, close relatives of the deceased observe the rite of k’riah, making a small rip — in a tie, a coat, a blouse, or perhaps the sleeve of a dress — as a symbol of grief. Many Jews pin a black ribbon to their jacket and then tear that. The point is that Judaism doesn’t want you to just show up; it wants you to really show your grief, without regard to vanity or decorum, and the k’riah is like ripping open a bag of grief to allow the tears and strong emotions to fall out.