Death and Burial Nobody Likes to Think About Death — But Everybody Does

JUDAISM: DEATH AND BURIAL

Nobody likes to think about death — but everybody does.

SOME ARE FASCINATED BY IT — some are afraid of it. Until Moshiach comes, death remains a fact of life. In fact, according to Judaism, death is actually a continuation of life. Judaism believes in the Soul, “truly a part of G-d Above” (Tanya, CH 2) This soul is the essence of the person. The soul is eternal and lives on in Higher Spiritual Worlds.

Specific to the Jewish religion is the partnership between body and soul. While the “soul” must be the “driver,” the “body” is indeed the “vehicle” through which all good deeds are carried out. Therefore, both the body and the soul are to be treated with the utmost respect. This is true when the person is alive, and it is also true in death. The body is the critical partner and the arena where all of one’s inner goodness and soul finds expression. Therefore, the body will be prepared for burial according to Jewish tradition, by the Chevra Kadisha, each Jew being prepared in exactly the same way. Simple shrouds, no pockets — wealth, clothing, property — these do not matter here. The essence does, where we are all equal at the core, created in Hashem’s image.

The body, the vessel that contained this “unique human being,” deserves to be properly prepared, lovingly placed in the ground to rest, and to be remembered. Although decomposition is not pretty, it is a biological process and is the natural way of every living being.

EARTH BURIAL IS NATURAL, SPIRITUAL AND ETERNAL, AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE JEWISH WAY OF SANCTIFYING OUR BODIES AFTER DEATH

“Dust (earth) you are and to dust (earth) (not ash) you shall return:” [Genesis 3:19]

The Neshama’s (soul) return to its Source after the body has died, is dependent upon the body’s return to the earth: “The dust returns to the earth… and the spirit returns to G-d who gave it.” [Ecclesiastes 12:7] Jewish law is therefore concerned with the immediacy of burial and the natural decomposition of the body. Therefore, mausoleums are forbidden since they retard the process of return to the earth. Cremation is therefore also absolutely forbidden. Cremation is the harshest form of indignity to the body and a pagan ritual. The only acceptable burial is directly in the ground, with family members and friends helping to fill the grave completely until a mound is formed. No attempt to slow the body’s decomposition is permitted. The natural decomposition of the body is of utmost importance in Judaism.

GREEN BURIAL

“Reuniting the body with the earth is not only respectful to the body and sensitive to family and Jewish identity, but a traditional Jewish burial is also the best choice for the environment.” (peacefulreturn.org) There is much environmental opposition to embalming and metal caskets. Regarding cremation, G-d forbid, a popular misunderstanding is that cremation is “eco-friendly.” In reality, the negative effects of cremation present serious environmental concerns. Cremation uses a tremendous amount of fossil fuels and releases toxins — including mercury and carbon monoxide amongst other hazardous materials — into the air. The actual act of burning the body is long and gruesome. As mentioned before, Jewish burial offers the body its natural return to the earth, and then to its “Maker.” Finally, the Jew wants burial. No matter how Jewishly aware or active a person may have been during his or her lifetime, choosing a Jewish burial declares, “I may or may have not been a perfect Jew during my lifetime, but I want to be buried as Jews have been for thousands of years. I want to die as a Jew.”

COST

For some situations in life, it is certainly appropriate to cut costs. After all, why not save money, especially in hard, economic times? But not all areas of life are created equal! For example, we will do whatever is necessary to give our children the best education possible, and to obtain the best health care.

Cost should never be a factor to stop a Jew from being lovingly laid to rest with a Jewish burial. If this is a concern for you, or if you wish to discuss end of life choices, please be in touch with us at Chabad. We will do everything possible to assist in enabling a Jewish man or woman to have a proper Jewish burial, including financial help.

May Hashem bless everyone with long healthy and happy lives, and Moshiach come now!

HELPFUL READINGS AND WEBSITES

Rabbi Maurice Lamm, The Jewish Way in Death and Mourning Doron Kornbluth, Cremation or Burial

Rochel Berman, Dignity Beyond Death chabad.org

sbchabad.org

peacefulreturn.org

chevrakadisha.com 323.653.8886

The Basics of the Jewish Funeral Rabbi Mendel Loschak is available to answer any concerns or questions, and available for assistance at 805.683.1544.