What Makes a Jewish Burial… Jewish?

What actually makes a burial Jewish? Is it the cemetery? The prayers? A Star of David on the casket?

Traditional Jewish burial is built around three essential practices: tahara, tachrichim, and burial in the ground.

It begins with one belief

Every person is created in the image of God. That means the body deserves dignity and respect, even after death, and that belief shapes everything that follows.

1. Tahara: preparing the body with dignity

Tahara is the sacred process of preparing the body for burial. Members of a chevra kadisha, or Jewish burial society, gently wash and prepare the deceased according to Jewish tradition. Throughout the process, the body is treated with care, modesty, and respect.

2. Tachrichim: simple white burial garments

Tachrichim are the simple white garments in which the deceased is dressed. They have no pockets, because we take no material possessions with us. They are also the same for everyone, reflecting the Jewish belief that wealth and social status do not separate us in death.

3. Burial in the ground

Jewish tradition teaches that the body should return naturally to the earth. As the Torah tells us: "For dust you are, and to dust you shall return." (Genesis 3:19)

That is why traditional Jewish practice calls for burial in the ground rather than cremation. Depending on local custom and cemetery requirements, the deceased may be placed directly into the earth or buried in a simple casket designed to return naturally to the earth.

What these three practices express

• Tahara honors the sacredness of the body.
• Tachrichim affirm the equality of every person.
• Burial in the ground allows the body to return naturally to the earth.

Beyond the burial itself

Many meaningful customs surround a Jewish funeral: prayers, mourning traditions, and acts of remembrance. But at the heart of the burial itself are these three practices. Together, they allow us to care for the deceased with dignity, simplicity, and respect.

Every Jew receives this same care, including people with tattoos (see Episode 1).

Planning ahead

Neshama Jewish Funeral Services arranges traditional Jewish funerals with tahara, tachrichim, and burial according to Jewish law. If you'd like to plan ahead for yourself or a loved one, call us any time at (954) 744-3432.