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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

A Kaddish poem memorializing a father who had left his family

black and white photo of empty park bench

Kaddish in memory of a victim of suicide

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A ritual to mark the first yahrzeit, anniversary of the death of a loved one

group of stones with one in the middle that says the word Remember on it

A ceremony to remember transgender people who were killed because of structural oppression and sinat chinam, baseless hatred

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This video walks you through the mourner’s kaddish and lets you follow along

first line of mourner's kaddish in hebrew, transliterated English, and English

Watch the video to learn more about specific Jewish mourning practices and how to be there for your friends and family.

jewish-guide-to-helping-your-friend-in-mourning-screen-shot

A poem for a yizkor or memorial service. When we remember our loved ones, we inscribe them upon the pages of our memory and they live on in us.

 
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A poem for tearing keriah (rending garments upon hearing of the death of a loved one or at the beginning of a funeral service). 

scrap of black fabric

A poetic struggle to draw close to an unknowable divine presence

person shining light onto starry sky

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