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.
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A funeral service for a miscarriage
A Kaddish poem memorializing a father who had left his family
Kaddish in memory of a victim of suicide
What is a Mikveh? An introduction to Jewish ritual bath.
A ritual to mark the first yahrzeit, anniversary of the death of a loved one
A ceremony to remember transgender people who were killed because of structural oppression and sinat chinam, baseless hatred
This video walks you through the mourner’s kaddish and lets you follow along
Watch the video to learn more about specific Jewish mourning practices and how to be there for your friends and family.
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.
A poem for tearing keriah (rending garments upon hearing of the death of a loved one or at the beginning of a funeral service).Â
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