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Death & Mourning

While Judaism places great emphasis on our lives in this world, death is an inevitable end for all of us. Often Jews who have been distant from traditional Jewish practice for their whole lives seek the comfort of traditional Judaism in the face of death. For mourners, whose lives are often turned upside down by death, the traditional practices of mourning can provide structure and comfort. Here you will find resources that address each aspect of the process of navigating death and mourning—from the moment of death, to the burial of the body, the tearing of clothes, the weeklong practice of shiva, and the recitation of kaddish.

 

Latest Rituals

Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief: a ritual for mourning the death of those we do not know during the High Holidays

candles flicker against a dark background

A memorial ritual to honor the first woman rabbi, Regina Jonas

First female rabbi Regina Jonas

A guide to visiting mourners when the death is a suicide

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A funeral service for a miscarriage

white flowers

A meditation on the value of a single life among so many murdered

many lit tea lights

A prayer and call to action while lighting candles

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A ceremony for going on hospice surrounded by loved ones

beaded bracelet draped over wooden box

A poem on struggling with grief

white fluff blowing off dried flower

Caring for the body before a Jewish funeral

screenshot of video, jewish mourning rituals: caring for the body

The Reconstructionist Network

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Training the next generation of groundbreaking rabbis

Modeling respectful conversations on pressing Jewish issues

Curating original, Jewish rituals, and convening Jewish creatives

Join the Ritualwell community to explore rituals that will bring a sense of sacred awareness to your Thanksgiving table and into your everyday life!

Jewish practices provide us with valuable frameworks to foster awareness and joy through gratitude.

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The Reconstructionist Network