Aron (ah-ron)
Traditional Jewish casket – all wood crafted, unlined and containing no metal. Created to return to the earth.
Immediate mourners
Immediate mourners refer to spouse, parents, children, or siblings of the deceased
Interment
Burial in a grave
Kevurah (ke-voo-rah)
Hebrew name for burial
Kriah (kree-ah)
The tearing of clothing by the immediate mourner as an expression of grief
Kriah (kree-ah) Ribbon
A black ribbon worn by immediate mourners to symbolize grief
Levayah (le-vay-ya)
Hebrew name for funeral
Mikvah (mick-vah)
Ritual bath used for washing the deceased during tahara
Minyan
A group of ten Jewish men, or men and women, required for public prayer
Seudat Havra’ah (su-dat hav-ra-ah)
The first meal upon returning from the cemetery, the meal of consolation traditionally includes round foods representing the cycle of life.
Sheblach (sheb-lock)
Following the tahara, the deceased’s eyes and mouth are covered with the sheblach, pieces of clay pottery, to maintain purity. It allows for a “see no evil, speak no evil” helping to return a clean body and soul back to the earth.
Shiva (sh-va)
The 7-day mourning period directly following the burial. There are certain holidays and times throughout the year that end the shiva period prior to the 7 days
Shiva candle
The candle one lights upon returning from the cemetery, which burns for 7 days (the duration of the shiva period)
Shomer (show-mer)
“Watcher” – someone who guards the body until burial. The act of watching is called “shemirah.”
Shroud (shr-owd)
Simple, full clothing garment made of muslin or linen containing no pockets or zippers
Tahara (tah-hah-rah)
Ritual washing and preparation of the deceased to prepare for burial and ensure Jewish traditions. Men perform tahara for men and women for women.
Yahrzeit (yar-tz-ite)
The anniversary of one’s passing according to the Hebrew calendar
Yizkor (yis-ker)
A memorial service and prayer recited four times a year for deceased loved ones – the anniversary of a death, the eve of Yom Kippur (Kol Nidre), the night of Shemini Atzeret (the 8th night of Sukkot), the last night of Passover, and the second night of Shavuot.