The flow of events around death generally follows this general path in the Jewish world:
- What Jews Do around Death, and Planning Ahead
- Approaching Death
- Between Death and Burial
- Funeral and burial
- Mourning
- Related Important Topics
There are local customs and many variations of the above, of course, depending on circumstances. In order to present what is traditionally done for a Jewish death, the following topics are included in the Hineni tool, listed in approximate chronological order of need based on the above progression.
What Jews Do around Death, and Planning Ahead:
Jewish Death Practices – an overview, the big picture
Preplanning for Death – an overview of what’s involved in thinking ahead about death
Approaching Death:
Bikur Cholim – visiting those who are ill: comforting the sick and dying
Vidui – deathbed confession: who it’s for, what’s it about
Between Death and Burial:
Shmirah – comforting the soul between death and burial: how it’s done, who it’s for
Taharah – respectful preparation of the body for burial: what’s involved in this
Caskets and Garments – what is traditionally used for Jewish burial and why
Funeral and Burial:
Kriah – the tearing of garments as a sign of grief: how this is done today
Jewish Funeral – what is involved today
Burial and Disposition – choices in today’s world and traditional Jewish practices
Jewish Cemetery – what makes a cemetery Jewish, why it matters
Jewish Mourning:
Jewish Mourning – big picture overview of Jewish mourning practices
Important Related Topics:
Afterlife in Judaism – traditional views of the afterlife and how this is reflected in our rituals
Chevrah Kadisha – what this organization is and how it is involved in Jewish death practices
