Mourning & Bereavement

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

An Alternative Greeting for Mourners

An greeting for mourners orienting towards one another.

grief, mourning

a person in shadow bent in grief

It’s Yizkor…And I’m Still Hurting

“We get to Kaddish, I just hit a wall…”

a person stands in a sunset, holding a candle

But One Journey

“Into what space do we turn on our winding ways / to the place of tears and grief?”

a person in shadow bent in grief

Kaddish for People with Disabilities: A Prayer of Remembrance

“Blessed is God, Ruler of the Universe, who created people with disabilities in Your image. / Blessed is God, who cherishes disabled lives and desires that they flourish and thrive.”

disability, inclusion, kaddish, mournng

a whte-skinned woman sits in a wheelcahr and fold her hands in prayer

When Sorrow Comes Knocking

“Sometimes there is not / enough space / to contain all of the grief.”

depression, grief, healing, hope

an empty bench facing a wide green lawn

Lights Out

“Time for your / soul to take flight, time for your soul / to light a new star.”

death, grief, mourning

blue and purple galaxy of stars

Once More to the Altar

Abraham, akedah, death

The desert reaches into the sky

God Will Gather Us In

grief, loss, mourning, sukkah, writing

A Psalm for Mourning

“I cannot tear it all down, / rip out the broken heart of it, / and be done with it.”

grief, mourning, psalm

A person stands on the rocks, overlooking the ocean on a dark day

Hitbodedut: A Silent Scream Ritual in Nature

A complete ritual for releasing frustration and anger in nature.

anger, meditation, nature

woman standing in a forest clearing