Additional Resources

Jewish law and tradition have endowed the funeral with profound religious significance. A Jewish funeral should in every respect express the dignity, sanctity and modesty of a solemn religious service. This Guide lists the basic requirements of a Jewish funeral.

Prepared by the Tri-Partite Commission on Jewish Funeral Standards of the Rabbinical Council of America, The Union of Orthodox, Jewish Congregations of America and The Jewish Funeral Directors of America. Also available in Russian.

Freedom. Justice. Reason. Compassion. Continuity.

They are the essence of Jewish civilization. The essence that binds us together as a people. The essence that transcends our daily identity, whether we are Orthodox, Conservative, Reform or unaffiliated. And indeed it is these values that have their most moving expression in the Jewish funeral service.

The only thing more painful than enduring grief, is enduring grief alone. Often, however, we are at a loss when in the company of someone who has recently experienced a death in the family. We wonder what to say, how to say it, or even if we should say it. While our intentions are to console or comfort our bereaved friends or relatives, it is difficult to know the best way to do this.

Benjamin Institute for Community Education and Referral. Prepared and Published by the Jewish Funeral Directors of America.

A Curricular Guide for Teaching About Death, Bereavement and the Jewish Way of Honoring the Dead.

Prepared by the coalition for the Advancement of Jewish Education, Ron Isaacs, Susan Arlen, Richard Wagner Carolyn Starman Hessel, with the assistance of the Jewish Funeral Directors of America.

A Yeshivah education should prepare its students for their future, giving them the opportunities to appreciate what halakha has to say and guide in all areas of life. A study of the laws of mourning should be an integral part of that study, not only because mourning is unfortunately part of the inevitable human experience, but because it is an integral part of our living Torah.

Offered by the Tri-Partite Committee, which is composed of the Rabbinical Council of America, the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America and the Jewish Funeral Directors of America.

How to be Helpful Before It’s Too Late
This booklet is presented as a community service by the Jewish Funeral Directors of America, Inc. It is offered in the spirit of Jewish tradition with the hope that it may provide valuable insights for parents and children to share at a most difficult time in life.

Prepared by Rabbi Earl A. Grollman, D.D.