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Dignity Memorial Jewish - Jewish funeral terms Category: History and Culture > Jewish funeral terms Date & country: 30/01/2018, USA Words: 33

Yarmulke/Kippah
The skull cap worn by the men at synagogue/temple services and funeral services

Yizkor
A memorial prayer

Taharah
(Ta-ha-rah) The traditional washing and dressing of the deceased with dignity. Performed by trained members of the Chevra Kadisha (Sacred Society). In accordance with Jewish traditional law, men prepare men, while women prepare women.

Tallith
A prayer shawl worn by men during the morning prayer service

Tehillim
Prayers said before the funeral by a group of friends and the shomer, from the book of Psalms

Yahrzeit
The anniversary of the death

Tachrichim
(Takh-ree-kheem) The burial shroud. A full set of traditional white clothing, preferably made of linen. Includes hat, shirt, pants, jacket, belt and wrapping sheet. This garment symbolizes equality and purity.

Shomer
A watcher; one who sits with the body until burial. The shomer traditionally recites psalms.

Shabbat
The Jewish Sabbath; begins at sundown Friday and ends at sundown Saturday

Sheloshim
(sh’losh-sheem) The thirty days following burial (including shiva)

Shemira
(Shmee-rah) The watching of remains. To show respect to the departed, the deceased is never left alone until after burial.

Shiva
(Shee-vah) The traditional seven-day mourning period immediately following burial, observed by the bereaved

Met
Deceased

Mitzvah
The funeral procession (Iberian tradition)

Mitzvah
Commandment

Rabbi
A teacher or ordained leader in the Jewish faith

Rechitzah
The ceremony of washing the deceased before burial

Sargenes
A hand-sewn white linen shroud in which the deceased members of the Jewish faith are dressed

Levaya
The funeral procession (Northern European tradition)

Magen David
(Star of David) A hexagram formed by the combination of two triangles, also called the Jewish Star

Menorah
A candelabrum with a central stem bearing seven candles; the oldest symbol in Judaism

Keriah
(Kree-ah) The practice of rending or cutting a garment, or symbolically wearing a cut black ribbon over the heart, to indicate that one is in mourning. Those observing keriah are generally adult children, father, mother, brother,sister or spouse of the deceased.

Kever
The grave

Kittel
A hand-sewn white linen shroud in which the deceased members of the Jewish faith are dressed

Kvurah B’kara
(Kvoo-rah B’kar-kah) Burial in the ground. Biblical mandate requires burial in the ground, filling the grave completely until a mound is formed. Participation in filling the grave is a religious privilege and duty and an expression of honor for the deceased. Above ground burial is an option you may discuss with the funeral director.

Kavod-Ha-Met
Honoring the Dead

Kaddish
A prayer recited for the deceased by the direct mourners for the first time at the conclusion of the interment service

Hashcabah
A memorial prayer (Iberian tradition)

Hesped
A eulogy or true evaluation of the deceased’s life that is part of the funeral service

El Malei Rachamin
A memorial prayer (Northern European tradition)

Cantor
A religious singer, or Chazan, who assists the clergy

Chesed shel Emet
Acts of True Kindness

Chevrah Kadisha
Hebrew meaning “Holy Society”