There is clearly an obligation to bury the deceased. We find that Isaac and Ishmael buried their father, Abraham. Esau and Jacob, in turn, buried their father, Isaac. The Midrash tells us that it was in the merit of Japheth having joined Shem in the covering of Noah's nakedness, that the dead of Gog and Magog (nations descended from Japheth) merited burial (Ezekiel 39).

Interment means burial in the ground, rather than in a tomb. Coffins are acceptable if made of wood. Cremation is not acceptable as it denies the resurrection of the dead. The dead body is to be treated with respect; therefore viewing of the remains is not encouraged--the soul of the departed experiences agony that its former host is seen in an impure state. Funerals are not an appropriate occasion for ostentation, the simpler the better.

THE SERVICE

The coffin is placed to the side of the open grave (or on the device designed to hold it above the grave.) The director of the service leads the mourners in prayer in unison: O L-rd, what significance has man that You should consider him? Man is like a brief breath, a passing shadow; like grass which flourishes in the morning and in the evening fades and withers.

The years of our lives are threescore and ten or, with strength, fourscore; yet they are filled with toil and trouble, they are soon gone and we depart this world. So teach us, O G-d, to use our days wisely. Guard the man who is blameless and behold he who is upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.

Surely the L-rd will redeem my soul from the grave, He will surely receive me. The L-rd redeems the souls of his servants; none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned. The dust returns to the earth as it was, but the spirit returns to G-d who gave it.

The director says:

The Sheltering Rock, His work is perfect for all His ways are rooted in justice. Our L-rd is a G-d of faithfulness without iniquity, He is just and perfect in all His deeds. He rules above and below, He takes away life and He gives it, He brings down to the grave and raises up from the grave.

Eulogies are now given by those who knew the deceased and wish to share their memories. It is good to reflect on the contribution the deceased made in his lifetime to the betterment of the world. It is appropriate to use the occasion to draw lessons from the life of the deceased for the improvement of his family and friends. The soul of the deceased will benefit from good deeds performed by those who were inspired by him.

Psalms 23 recite in unison.

The coffin is lowered into the grave and earth is shovelled into the grave by the mourners; enough to cover the coffin.

The director recites:

O compassionate G-d who dwells on high, grant perfect rest beneath the sheltering wings of Your presence (Shechina), among the holy and pure whose souls shine as the brightness of the firmament, to the soul of [ ] the son/daughter of [ ] and [ ] who has gone to eternal rest and in whose memory charity is offered. May his/her repose be in Paradise. May the L_rd of Mercy protect him/her under the cover of His sheltering presence forever, and may his/her soul be bound up in the bond of eternal life. May the L-rd be his/her possession, and may he/she repose in peace and let us say, "Amen."

The mourners reply: Amen.

The chief mourners (i.e., the closest relatives present) say:

The L-rd gave and the L-rd has taken away, praised be the Name of the L-rd.

Those gathered turn to the chief mourners and say to them:

May the L-rd, blessed be His Name, comfort you among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

The director leads the assembled in the reading of Psalms 16.

Written by :

KristineCassady