Death and dying
There are many practices surrounding death and dying that are unique to Jewish tradition. We aim to educate and support members of our Jewish community, and friends and neighbors. Read on for more information.
Chevra Kadisha Kavod
In Judaism, we believe that all individuals have innate dignity, a spark of the divine. We are all said to be created in God’s image. Judaism holds that death does not remove this holiness. Our bodies retain a remnant of the divinity they once housed. Jewish burial rituals emphasize that all people enter the world as equals and that we leave the world as equals as well.
A Chevra Kadisha (Sacred Society) carries out the task of preparing the deceased for Jewish burial. In addition to performing the tahara, the ritual purification of the dead, the Chevra Kadisha Kavod of Oahu seeks to educate interested parties about these centuries-old rituals, as well as the opportunity to perform this important mitzvah.
Helpful Resources
Elements of My Jewish Funeral: My Wishes - We invite you to download this helpful worksheet that provides you with a guideline for planning a Jewish funeral. The document helps users decide which Jewish elements they would like to include in their funeral as well as serves as a directive for families or other responsible persons to follow.
Kavod v'Nichum - Visit Kavod v'Nichum for resources and courses on death and mourning.
Living Jewishly Means Dying Jewishly, Too - Learn more about dying Jewishly in this enlightening Eli Talk.
Visit this interactive resource by the .Jewish Association for Death Education (JADE) to better understand about Jewish traditions at end of life.
Glossary of terms related to Jewish practices for end-of-life and remembrance
Vidui—Confessional prayer
Goses (m) or Gosesset (f)—Actively dying person (within 72 hours)
From Guf to Meit/Meitah—From living body to deceased raiment
K’vod Ha Meit—Respect for the body of the Deceased (commences at the moment of death)
Neshamah—Level of Soul transcending death
Niftar—Deceased Person (see also patar “exempt”)
Aninut—Period between death and burial
Baruch Dayan HaEmet—“Blessed is the True Judge” said upon hearing of a passing
Onen—Bereaved person before burial (becomes Aveil, pl. Aveilim at burial)
Kriyah—Rending of clothing or symbolic ribbon by Bereaved (at time of death or during funeral)
Shmira—Watching over the Deceased (Shomer—one who guards)
Taharah—Ceremony of purification of Meit/Meitah and dressing in ritual attire
Levayah—Escorting/accompanying the Meit/Meitah to the grave
Hesped/El Malei Rachamim—Eulogy and prayer for elevation of the Soul
Kaddish Yatom—“Mourner’s” Kaddish; first recited at interment
Aveil (pl. Aveilim) —Bereaved person after burial (Aveilut—State of being: bereavement)
Se’udat havra’ah—Meal of consolation
Ha Makom y’nachem—Blessing said by those offering comfort
Shiva—7 day period beginning at time of burial
“Get up” walk on 7th day
Sheloshim—First 30 days (day of burial is first day)
Aveilut—Prescribed period of mourning (for parents 11 months; for others 30 days)
Matzevah—Unveiling/stone-
Yahrzeit—Anniversary of death
Yizkor—Prayers of remembrance (Kaddish YaTom, El Malei Rachamim), said on Yom Kippur; Sukkot; Passover; Shavuot
reprinted with permission from Holly Blue Hawkins, www.