Why Don't Jews Have Open-Casket Funerals?

Two important reasons

There are two important reasons Jewish funerals keep the casket closed. One has to do with the person who passed away, and the other has to do with the family.

Respect for the person who passed

Jewish tradition places a tremendous emphasis on honoring and respecting someone even after they've passed. One of the ways we express that respect is by keeping the body covered and the casket closed.

Remembering them in life

The second reason is for the family. When someone we love passes away, we don't want our final memory of them to be how they looked in death. We want to remember them as they were in life: their smile, their personality, and all the moments we shared.

Not avoiding goodbye

Keeping the casket closed isn't about avoiding saying goodbye. It's about honoring the person who passed away while remembering them for the life they lived.