What every Jew should know about burial and mourning.

This week, our community mourned the loss of two members. Each time, a minyan gathered so the mourners could recite Kaddish, and the Chevra Kadisha carried out the sacred task of preparing the deceased for burial. After burial, Jewish tradition provides structured mourning periods—Shiva, Shloshim, and beyond—each with meaningful customs that comfort the grieving, along with the recitation of Kaddish.
Jewish tradition is clear: burial in the earth is the only way, allowing for the natural process of decomposition and return to the soil from which we were formed. As G‑d told Adam, "For dust you are, and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19). King Solomon echoed this: "And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to G‑d, who gave it" (Ecclesiastes 12:7).
What is less commonly known is that Judaism also mandates dignity and respect for the body between death and burial. That is why we don't embalm, as it removes and reconstructs parts of the body. Likewise, public display of the body is considered a violation of dignity and privacy. Cremation is strictly prohibited, as it prematurely and violently destroys the body. Autopsies are also not permitted as they desecrate the body. In rare and absolutely necessary circumstances, such as a criminal investigation, a qualified rabbi should be consulted.  
There are also many beautiful and deeply meaningful Jewish traditions surrounding burial. One of the most significant is the work of the Chevra Kadisha—the "Holy Society"—a group of dedicated men and women who volunteer to ensure that every Jew receives a proper burial. They perform the Taharah (ritual washing of the body), dress the deceased in Tachrichim (shrouds), include earth from the Holy Land, and oversee the burial according to Jewish tradition with care and reverence.
Here in Sioux Falls, we are fortunate to have a committed group who have undertaken this sacred task. If you would like to learn how to participate in this special mitzvah, to become educated about the traditions and volunteer in the future, please reach out to Mussie or myself.
Now is also a good time to ensure that your own burial arrangements align with Jewish tradition. If you have any questions about this, I encourage you to reach out so we can discuss what that entails.​ As always, we strive to do for any member of the community no less than we would for our own family.