Jewish Funeral Terms Glossary

Many Jewish traditions and holidays center around the importance of family, unity and remembrance. Jewish funeral traditions are no different.

After the loss of a loved one, many Jewish people find that comfort and support from family and friends—especially experienced through the faith’s mourning rituals and certain holidays throughout the year, such as Yom Kippur and Shavuot—help them remember and commemorate their loved ones.

Don’t worry if it’s been awhile since Hebrew school or you’re attending a Jewish funeral for the first time. Depending on the temple, funeral service programs and prayer books may provide Hebrew translations (Hebrew translated to English) or Hebrew transliterations (Hebrew spelled phonetically for English speakers) to help you follow along.

Jewish funeral terms to know

Knowing the language of Jewish mourning and funeral traditions can help you celebrate and remember a loved one’s life in a meaningful way.

Aninut

The time between the moment one learns about the death of a loved one until the time of the loved one's burial. A person is not yet a mourner and is exempt from certain mitzvot or commandments, so they can make funeral and burial arrangements. 

Ashkenazi Jews

Jews who descend from Central or Eastern Europe. 

Aveilim

Hebrew for “mourners.”

Aveilut

Hebrew for “mourning.”

Aron

A simple wood casket. Constructed to return to the earth, the aron can be made of any wood and has no metal parts. In some areas of the United States a “plain pine casket” is traditional; in others, an oak or redwood casket may be traditional. 

Baruch dayan ha’emet

Hebrew for “blessed is the true judge.” This phrase is typically recited when one hears of a person’s passing. 

Bat

Hebrew for “daughter of.”

Ben

Hebrew for “son of.”

Cantor

A member of the clergy who sings or chants prayers during services in the synagogue. A cantor has received professional musical training and is ordained by a Jewish institution. Also: “hazzan.”

Chesed shel emes

Hebrew for “the truest act of kindness.” This phrase is generally used to describe the kindness to a deceased person by the chevra kadisha or a burial society. It might also be used to describe how a grave is cared for. 

Chevra kadisha

Hebrew for “sacred society.” An organization of Jewish men and women who prepare the deceased for burial according to Jewish Law (Halacha). Typically men prepare men, and women prepare women. 

El Moley Rachamim

A Jewish prayer for the departed that is recited during the funeral service. The El Moley is a plea that the soul of the departed is granted proper rest. This prayer may also be recited during Yizkor, on the yahrzeit date or when one visits a loved one’s grave. 

Genizah

An area where Jews store sacred texts that are no longer in use. Over time, items placed in the genizah have come to include texts that say God’s name, holy books such as the Talmud, siddurim (prayer books), tallit and other ritual objects. It is customary to bury the genizah as a sign of respect. 

Halakha

Jewish law that guides day-to-day life. Also: halachah.

Hebrew name

A name given to a Jewish baby soon after birth. Traditionally, the baby is given a name followed by “ben” and their father’s Hebrew name. Today, some families will include both the mother's and father’s Hebrew names. Males are given their Hebrew name at their bris; females are given a Hebrew name at their baby naming. A baby is often named for a deceased loved one. 

Israeli earth

Holy earth from Israel that may be placed in a grave to help the deceased find forgiveness or atonement and bring the loved one closer to burial in the land of Israel. 

Kaddish

A prayer that praises and glorifies God and expresses the values of the Jewish people. The Kaddish is a prayer for the living and does not mention death or make reference to the deceased. Mourners recite the Kaddish every day for 11 months after the passing of a parent, spouse, child or sibling; on Yizkor; and on the Yahrzeit, or anniversary, of a loved one's death. 

Kever

Hebrew for “grave.”

Kevurah

Hebrew for “burial.”

Kittel

A white robe that Ashkenazi men, and some women, wear for their weddings and during High Holiday services. A loved one may also be buried in their kittel. 

Kriah

Hebrew for “tearing.” Kriah refers to the act of tearing one’s clothing as an expression of grief and anger. Traditionally, immediate mourners—child, parent, spouse, siblings—of the deceased loved one perform kriah prior to the funeral service or at the cemetery. During kriah, the mourners stand while a cut, or tear, is made (on the left side for parents, on the right side for all other relatives). While cutting, mourners also recite the blessing “Baruch atah Adonai, eloheinu melech ha’olam, dayan ha’emet, which translates to “Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Ruler of the Universe, the True Judge.”

Kriah ribbon

In lieu of tearing or cutting clothing, some immediate mourners wear torn kriah ribbons, which signify grief and anger. 

Kohen

Hebrew for “Jewish priest.” Kohanim (plural) are descendants of the sons of Aaron who served as priests in the Temple of Jerusalem. Kohanim receive special honors in the synagogue, such as the first aliyah, and their lineage is passed from father to son. The symbol used on a monument to signify a Kohen is two hands arranged for the priestly blessing. 

Landsmanshaftn

Societies formed by Jewish immigrants from the same villages, towns and cities in Eastern and Central Europe, or with the same profession. 

Levaya

Hebrew for “funeral.” 

Levite

Descendants of the tribe of Levi, which is one of the 12 ancient tribes of Israel. Traditionally, Levites were the ritual caretakers of the temple and had the role of washing the hands of Kohanim. Thus, monuments of Levites often include the symbol of a water pitcher. Levites are given special honors in synagogue, such as the receipt of the second aliyah or leading the grace after meals. 

Matzeivah

The stone monument erected to formally and permanently mark the grave of a loved one. Also: matzevah.

Mikveh

A pool, bath or natural body of water that one is immersed in to restore purity. During the tahara, the chevra kadisha will immerse the deceased in a mikveh, if applicable, prior to dressing the loved one in a shroud. 

Minyan

A group of 10 Jewish men, over the age of 13, who make up the minimum number for a communal religious service. In egalitarian synagogues, a minyan may consist of men and women over the age of 13. 

Neshama

Hebrew for “soul” or “spirit.”

Rabbi

A spiritual leader or teacher in Judaism. Rabbis attend rabbinic seminaries where they receive “semichah,” or their ordination. 

Shabbat

The Jewish day of rest. Shabbat begins at sundown on Friday and ends at sunset on Saturday. During this time, burials are not permitted, and one does not observe shiva.

Sephardic Jews

Jews from Spain, Portugal, North Africa and the Middle East. 

Seudat havra’ah

Hebrew for “meal of consolation.” The first meal eaten by mourners when they return to the house of shiva after the funeral. Prior to entering the home, it is customary to wash one’s hands with water from a pitcher placed outside. Food served during the seudat havra’ah is typically round, symbolizing the cycle of life. 

Shemirah

The ritual act of watching or guarding the body and spirit of a deceased loved one by a shomer. This is a sign of respect to the deceased, who is traditionally watched from the time of death until the time of burial. 

Shiva

The formal seven-day period of mourning after the passing of a loved one. During this period, immediate mourners sit on low stools or boxes, abstain from work and do not leave home. At the house of shiva, mirrors are covered, and immediate mourners do not shave or wear makeup. Those visiting the home often share stories and memories of the deceased, bring food and support the immediate mourners. 

Shiva candle

A candle that is lit upon a family's return to the house of shiva that burns for seven days. 

Shomer

Hebrew for “watcher.” A Jewish legal guardian entrusted to watch over the soul and body of a deceased loved one. 

Tachrichim

A traditional simple white burial shroud. 

Tahara

Hebrew for “ritual washing.” The traditional purification of the body prior to interment. In accordance with the Jewish belief that people leave the world as they came into it, the chevra kadisha washes and dresses the deceased while reciting prayers and psalms. The body is dressed in tachrichim. Men and some women are buried with their tallit with one of the fringes cut to signify that it will no longer be used. 

Tallit

A fringed prayer shawl. Rectangular in shape, the tallit has strings tied in a particular pattern known as tzitzit. Also: talis

Tzedakah

Hebrew for “righteous giving.” It is customary among Jewish families to give money to a variety of charities and organizations. It is common for families to request donations to a particular charity or organization in lieu of flowers after the death of a loved one. 

Unveiling

A ceremonial dedication of the grave monument that takes place after the Kaddish period, which is 11 months for parents and 30 days for other close relatives. During the unveiling ceremony, a cloth is placed over the monument, prayers are recited, and family members share words about their loved one. 

Yahrzeit

The anniversary of a loved one's death observed by reciting the Kaddish and lighting a candle that burns for 24 hours.

Yahrzeit candle

A candle that is lit at sundown the night prior to the Yahrzeit date and allowed to burn for 24 hours. 

Yarmulke

A head covering worn by Jewish men. Also: kippah.

Yizkor

Hebrew for “remember.” A prayer in commemoration of the dead recited four times a year: the eighth day of Passover, Shavuot, Yom Kippur and Shemini Atzeret. Yizkor also refers to the memorial service held on each of these days, during which members of a congregation remember those who have passed.