Estate planning attorneys work with clients from many faiths. Understanding each faith’s funeral traditions allows you to better help the families you serve.

As the Doyenne of Death^® and Vice-President of the Jewish-Christian Dialogue of New Mexico, I help explain Jewish traditions to our Christian brethren. Here are a few key things to know about Jewish funerals.

The 24-Hour Rule

The Jewish tradition of burying a body within 24 hours has Biblical as well as practical roots. Practically, the religion started in a hot desert culture, before the advent of modern refrigeration or embalming techniques. In fact, many aspects of Jewish funerals are echoed in Muslim funeral traditions.

Decomposition sets in within 24 hours without refrigeration or embalming, so burying quickly became a hallmark of Jewish funerals. The rules dictated in the Bible come from Deuteronomy 21:23: “Thou shalt bury him the same day,” and “His body shall not remain all night.”

Jewish Burial Equals Green Burial

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust: Traditionally, Jews avoid embalming, as the blood is considered a part of the body, which is to be kept as intact as possible. The body is dressed in white cotton or linen clothing or shrouds. The casket is made of soft wood such as pine or poplar, meant to biodegrade in contact with the earth. The body, clothing and wood all decompose at about the same rate.

No Flowers

The custom of sending fragrant flowers to funerals originated in part to cover the smell of a decomposing body. Because of the promptness of Jewish burial, flowers are unnecessary. Memorial donations to a worthy cause supported by the deceased are the preferred way to show your sympathy.

No Viewing

Jews generally avoid viewing the body at a funeral, as it’s considered disrespectful of the earthly vessel that once held the human spirit.

However, the body is traditionally watched over prior to the funeral by a shomer (translated as observer or watchman) who recites prayers for the deceased. This has a practical basis going back to the desert culture origin, to keep wild animals from eating the body before burial.

Community Support After the Funeral

One of the biggest differences between Christians and Jews in funerals is when the family receives the support of their community. Christians may spend several days in visitation and viewings leading up to the funeral. Jews bury quickly and the family spends time after the funeral receiving the support of their community during the seven-day period of mourning known as shiva (translated as seven).

For more information about the many traditions related to Jewish funerals and mourning, check out www.ShivaConnect.com. It is a great resource that also offers a free service to help families coordinate communications and food following a funeral.

Gail Rubin, The Doyenne of Death^®, is author of the award-winning book, A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don’t Plan to Die and host of the new television interview series, A Good Goodbye TV. She speaks regularly to Jewish and Christian groups and helps start funeral planning conversations. Her website is www.AGoodGoodbye.com.

Academy Guest Blogger
American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.
9444 Balboa Avenue, Suite 300
San Diego, California 92123
Phone: (858) 453-2128
www.aaepa.com

Embalming is one of the “ickier” aspects of funerals that keep people from considering funeral planning in advance. That’s a shame, because no state laws require embalming. It comes down to the question of viewing.

Embalming was first utilized broadly in the United States during the Civil War. Back then, surgeon-embalmers utilized chemical compounds, including mercury and arsenic, to preserve soldiers’ bodies long enough to ship them from the battlefield to their hometowns.

Embalming involves draining the blood and replacing it with a chemical solution that includes formaldehyde and other toxic fluids that sanitize microbes in the body. This retards, but does not stop, the process of decomposition.

Most funeral directors require embalming if the body will be put on display for viewing. It’s a misconception that this absolutely must be done. Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule of 1984 dictates disclosure that embalming is not required.

Refrigeration will suffice if the viewing is just for the immediate family and for 30 minutes or less. Refrigeration can adequately preserve a body for up to four days before burial.

Both Jews and Muslims traditionally avoid embalming and bury the body within 24 hours. This practice originates in a hot desert culture before the advent of refrigeration. Without cooling, a body starts to decompose within the first 24 hours after death.

Many funeral homes have refrigeration units, especially those that offer Jewish funerals. Mortuaries that offer green burial are also likely to have refrigeration units.

The judicious use of dry ice is another option to keep a body refrigerated at a funeral home, during ground transportation, or in a private home. Care must be taken to provide plenty of fresh air in the room. Dry ice is a solid form of carbon dioxide, and without adequate ventilation it can cause asphyxiation as the dry ice evaporates.

Don’t let the fear of embalming keep your clients from this important aspect of planning. Funeral planning before there’s a death helps the family save money, avoid stress at a time of grief, and allows time to create a meaningful, memorable “good goodbye.”

Gail Rubin is a Certified Celebrant who brings light to a dark subject and helps get funeral planning conversations started. Her book, A Good Goodbye: Funeral Planning for Those Who Don’t Plan to Die, has won multiple awards. Learn more at www.AGoodGoodbye.com. Gail is an ongoing contributor to the Academy blog. Contact: 505-265-7215 or email Gail@AGoodGoodbye.com.

Academy Guest Blogger
American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.
9444 Balboa Avenue, Suite 300
San Diego, California 92123
Phone: (858) 453-2128
www.aaepa.com