• Tahara: Ritual washing and purification of the deceased.
• Tahara is performed by members of the Chevra Kadisha (see Chevra Kadisha below) or “Sacred Society”.
• Shmeerah: The watching over the deceased by a shomer.This person recites psalms on behalf of the deceased until burial.
• Tachrichim: A traditional white burial shroud.This is a symbol that all people are equal before their Creator.
• Kavod Hamet: Respectful treatment of the deceased.
• Chevra Kadisha: A holy society made up of knowledgeable and observant people. Responsible for performing the Tahara (see Tahara above). Men care for men, women care for women.
• Kriah: Tearing of garments.It is customary for mourners to tear an outer garment. A more common practice today is wearing a torn black ribbon.
• Oron: All-wood casket.
• Shiva: The seven-day morning period following burial.
• Kaddish: A prayer sanctifying God’s name, recited by mourners.
• K’vurah: Burial. Participation is both a privilege and a duty.
• Shurah: Two lines formed by the community through which the mourners pass when leaving the cemetery.
• Onen/Onenet: “One in distress”. Immediate family members (mourners), from the moment of death until burial. Excused from all obligations, except making funeral arrangements. (Aninut – the period of mourning.)
• Avel/Avela: “One who is sad, grieving”. Immediate family members (mourners), from the moment of burial to the end of the mourning period. (Avelut – the mourning period.)
• Shloshim: Thirty-day mourning period following the burial (includes Shiva).
• Shanah: Year of Mourning following the death of a parent, (Kaddish recited for eleven months).
• Yahrzeit: Anniversary of the Hebrew date of death.
• Yizkor: Memorial recited four times per year: Yom Kippur, Shemini Atzeret, Passover, and Shavuot.

For additional resources regarding ritual observance, please contact one of our funeral directors or family service counselors at (847) 255-3520.