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Death & Mourning

Stone wall with Hebrew letters engraved on a rectangular plaque.

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 yizkor prayer, or prayer of remembrance, to be recited upon visiting the grave of a loved one
grave with a wreath of flowers

Based on the model of creation, this seven-part ritual focuses our intention and then consecrates the final resting place for our loved ones

Weathered tombstone with small stones placed on top, surrounded by greenery.
A ceremony incorporating psalms, prayers and comforting support
grey ribbons

Traditional memorial prayer in which God is asked to shelter the soul of the departed for eternal life

abstract blue smoke shape

Traditional memorial prayer in which God is asked to shelter the soul of the departed for eternal life

abstract blue smoke shape

We remember those whose lives were lost, and pray for a more tolerant and just future

A hand holds an open book with Hebrew text, with a blurred background.
A poem in preparation of saying a name for the first time
rows of empty pews

A poem to make make space for mourning during the Passover seder

closeup of matzah

Ceremony with friends and officiant including song and a ritual handwashing

wedding band on a piece of wood

A prayer for the year of mourning and the journey of widowhood

Close-up of dark, jagged leaves covered in raindrops, with a blurred background.

The Reconstructionist Network

Serving as central organization of the Reconstructionist movement

Training the next generation of groundbreaking rabbis

Modeling respectful conversations on pressing Jewish issues

Curating original, Jewish rituals, and convening Jewish creatives

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The Reconstructionist Network