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

Moving On: Yizkor and Life Lessons from the Book of Ruth

Reflections on the transformation of mourning to affirmation

tree in sinai desert

Closing the Apartment

Developing a ritual for the dissolution of a home

empty room with sliding glass doors to green lawn and lake

Meditation for Healing from Grieving

Based on the Parasha Lech L’cha, this meditation urges the mourner to move forward in life

person walking in desert sand dunes

Prayer for Lighting the Shiva Candle

A prayer to be said before lighting the shiva candle

memorial candle lighting, shiva

A single lit candle against a dark background.

For a Grandfather

A poem about the metaphorical seeds a grandfather sowed for his descendants

zayde in chair smiling

For a Parent

“Move to the front—of the line—a voice says…”

open gate

Home

A poem describing the palpable absence of a dead mother

cluttered wood table

The Five Stages of Grief

A poem about the journey of grief

circular stone staircase

Baby Brother’s Gone to Heaven

Description by a mother of her six-year-old son’s response to the death of his stillborn brother

loss of a child, miscarriage, stillbirth

teddy bear on a small bench

A Grieving Ritual Following Miscarriage or Stillbirth

A ritual divided into three parts: Mourning the Loss, Choosing Life Again, and Communal Support and Blessings

miscarriage, stillbirth

Black ribbon elegantly curled on a plain white background.