Mourning & Bereavement

people embrace in tears

Traditional Jewish mourning and bereavement practices are designed to help us bear our grief. But sometimes we need something more: a poem that captures our imagination, a creative ritual that addresses the particularity of our grief, a song that speaks to our heart. May you find a measure of comfort in your time of need.

Latest Rituals

This lovely ritual can be adapted for the loss of any animal companion
Silhouette of a woman and a dog touching noses at sunset, sitting on grass.
“May we have the time /  to navigate our grief / with grace / at a pace  all our own. “
Black and white photo of an orchid stem with several delicate, drooping flowers against a blurred background.
Maggid Eli Andrew Ramer shares a variety of new prayers including a Kaddish and Vidui for the planet.
Blue sky with scattered clouds above tall, rugged sandstone canyon walls in a desert landscape.
“Grief sneaks up on you / It taps you on your shoulder…”
Dried, twisted tree branches on sandy desert ground under a blue sky with distant mountains.
“May we rise in peace, as different creatures…”
A black bird perches on bare branches in soft light with blurred trees in the background.
This guided meditation is designed to be part of a Yizkor service,
Gentle ocean waves at sunset with orange and blue reflections on the water.
“May the love that fills our souls bring peace to our troubled minds.”
Crescent moon in a softly lit sky with clouds in pink and orange hues.
An important new ritual for this sensitive shiva experience.
Ceramic pitcher and bowl with blue floral design, yellow soap, and folded towel on a white surface.
“How do we know what will outlive us? / We all want to be remembered our lives to count for something…”
A starry night sky with a cosmic blend of blue and purple nebulae.
“May his/her dreams / be fulfilled / in every one of our breaths…”
two people sit on a dock looking out over a lake

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