Funerals are difficult occasions for anyone to cope with, and a funeral with different cultural practices can be even more difficult. Jewish funerals have a number of elements that are very different from most Western funeral services, Christian or non-religious. Understanding these elements prior to attending a Jewish funeral will make the experience a lot easier.

The Timing of a Jewish Funeral

Jewish funerals are traditionally held very soon after the death. Jewish Law requires that, barring a medical reason (autopsy) or needing to wait for close relatives to travel a great distance, the body should be buried, if possible, within twenty-four hours of the death.

While this practice may seem rushed to the non-Jewish individual, the reason is very simple. Jewish practice, while honouring the person who has died, centres on caring for the mourners. The longer the wait to conduct the funeral, the longer the period of hiatus before the family can begin the prescribed period of mourning.