Sunday, May 5, 2019

Rules Of Etiquette To Uphold During A Rabbi Funeral

By Harold Lee


According to the funeral practices of Jews, a loved one is burred about 24 hours after they pass on. This makes it unusual to have a viewing ceremony or even wakes. Before the service begins, family members practice Keriah, which involves tearing a visible piece of cloth or black ribbons in honor of the life of the deceased. This also symbolizes their grief during a rabbi funeral.

You can still attend a Jew funeral in support of a dear friend. Your presence will be the best gift you can offer and hence it is unnecessary to say anything to the mourners. In case they engage you, simply offer your condolences and do not say more that is truly necessary.

You also want to select your dress code wisely. In this case, just be fairly decent, perhaps in a smart casual outfit. Also avoid wearing heels, especially if you will be attending the graveside ceremony. In case you really need to offer your condolences to the grieving family, get to the service minutes ahead of time and do so. Jews leave the chapel for the graveyard directly or the graveyard for their homes and it is not polite to hold them back with greetings and the rest.

It is okay to sit in the chapel and speak in low tones before the service begins. The idea is to maintain a low key and this is a rule you do not want to forget even if you hook up with your buddies. Additionally, put your phone aside and switch it off once the service starts.

As mentioned earlier, your presence is appreciated and this means it is okay for you to just listen. Very little is required of the congregation and there will be someone conducting some psalms, prayers and reading the eulogy. The stories about the rabbi may bring about moments of light laughter amid the sadness of saying the final goodbye.

When saying goodbye to a rabbi, the service will in most cases take place inside the chapel. You therefore do not have to be in attendance during the graveside ceremony. It will only take ten minutes or less and the few chairs available are meant for the morning relatives.

Jews host a Shiva about seven days after the funeral. If you choose to attend the home gathering, again, the most important thing is your presence and it is okay to stay for half an hour or less before leaving. Bringing some food with you is a good gesture because it will save the family from shopping and cooking as they grieve. Simply avoid meat and shellfish and play safe if you do not know the Jewish food laws.

The Jews laws command followers to be good when they breath. You may hence not hear talks about the afterlife. Consequently, do not raise such topics. It also pays to understand that you may not see a lot of flowers in rabbi funerals and if you need to make a kind gesture, you could make a donation in the honor of the deceased.




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