Question 1

Death occurring at home or a business location

Accepted Answer

In the event of a death occurring at home or a business location, the appropriate authorities must be contacted. If the deceased was not under hospice care, the police should be notified immediately. The police will then contact the decedent's doctor to verify and sign the death certificate. If there was no doctor, the police will notify the coroner/medical examiner who will determine if any further action is necessary. If the person was under home hospice care, the hospice representative should be contacted.

Question 2

Hospital, nursing home, or hospice

Accepted Answer

In cases where death occurs in a hospital, nursing home, or hospice facility, the staff of the facility will inform the necessary authorities, including the funeral home if one has been provided. A Funeral Director will contact you to discuss funeral arrangements if you were not present at the time of death.

Question 3

Contact the funeral director

Accepted Answer

Once everything has been cleared with the authorities, the next step is to contact a licensed funeral director. The Funeral Director will assist in obtaining a death certificate, transporting the body, and making appropriate funeral arrangements. It is important to meet with a Funeral Director as soon as possible to begin the process of making final arrangements for the loved one. The Funeral Director will gather vital information required for filing necessary paperwork with the State and guide you through all steps of arranging the funeral service.

Question 4

Practical Checklist for Dealing with Death

Accepted Answer

1. If death occurs at home or a place of business:
- Notify the police immediately if the deceased was not under hospice care
- Contact the deceased's doctor or the coroner/medical examiner as appropriate
- Wait for the body to be released before contacting a funeral home

2. If death occurs at a hospital/nursing home/hospice facility:
- The staff will notify the necessary authorities
- If a funeral home has been provided, they will be notified
- Contact a funeral director once everything has been cleared

3. Informing a Funeral Director:
- Call a licensed funeral director after clearance from the proper authorities
- Funeral Directors can help obtain a death certificate, transport the body, and make appropriate funeral arrangements

4. Meeting a Funeral Director:
- Meet with a Funeral Director as soon as possible to begin making final arrangements

5. Making Arrangements:
- Provide vital information required for legal paperwork
- Decide on funeral service arrangements, such as location, date, and time
- Arrange a cemetery plot
- Prepare an obituary and Shiva notice
- Schedule transportation arrangements

Question 5

Video tutorials and guide book on how to perform Taharah

Accepted Answer

This website provides comprehensive video tutorials on how to perform Taharah. You can find these resources at https://www.nasck.org/products-resources-for-the-chevra-kadisha/.

For a comprehensive guide book click here

Question 6

The procedure immediately following a death

Accepted Answer

- Cover the face and body of the deceased.
- Close the eyes of the deceased.
- Wrap the body in a sheet and place it on the floor with the feet towards the door or exit.
- Place an object under the head so that it is raised.
- Beg forgiveness from the deceased before lifting the body.
- Lay the body, arms, and legs straight and keep the mouth closed.
- Tie the mouth with a cloth if it continues to open.
- Light candles and cover mirrors, photographs, and human portraits.
- Do not leave the deceased alone and avoid unnecessary conversation.
- Recite T'hillim (Psalms) for the soul of the deceased.

Question 7

The Taharah

Accepted Answer

- Prepare everything needed before starting the Tahara, including utensils, tachrichim, washcloths, and casket.
- Inspect the casket in advance to ensure that there are no metal parts or decorations.
- Appoint several experienced members as leaders in Chevra Kadisha.
- Assign duties to individual participants.
- Wash hands with water poured from a vessel three times for each hand.
- Close the door and ensure that only members of Chevra Kadisha are present.

Question 8

The Taharah Procedure

Accepted Answer

- Recite a prayer inserting the name of the deceased and their mother.
- Beg forgiveness from the deceased before undressing the body.
- Inspect clothing for bloody areas and cut them out and place them in the casket near the feet.
- Note any places where there may be bleeding or other special problems.
- Do not remove false teeth, artificial eyes, or other organs unless they interfere with the performance of the Tahara.
- Remove jewelry, watches, and other expensive adornments and return them to the family.
- Check the clothing for money, papers, or valuables and return them to the family.
- Collect all valuables and give them to the designated person.
Checklist for Jewish Tahara (preparation of the deceased for burial):

Question 9

During Taharah

Accepted Answer

- Ensure that the body is placed face-up upon the Taharah board; it is forbidden to place the body facedown.
- Use warm (not hot) water brought in buckets.
- Wash the body in the following order: head, neck, right arm and hand, right side of the body, left arm and hand, left side of the body.
- When washing the head, also cleanse the ears, nostrils, and behind the ears. Care should be taken not to pour water into the mouth.
- When washing the arms and hands, wash the spaces under the armpits and between the fingers. Clean the fingernails with a blunt toothpick.
- When washing the legs and feet, give care to the spaces between the thighs and between the toes. Clean the toenails with a blunt toothpick.
- Afterward, place the body on its left side and wash the right side of the back, then wash the left side in the same order.
- Cover the private parts for the sake of modesty; only when those parts are being washed may they be uncovered. Do not place the body facedown.
- Inspect the rectum to ensure that it is clean. If not, wipe with a slightly damp cloth until it becomes clean. Pouring water into the rectum for cleaning is contrary to custom.
- Seal any wounds or sources of bleeding with cotton or bandage, if necessary. Collect any blood or bloodied materials and place them into the casket near the deceased's feet.
- Repeat the Chevra team's hand washing before beginning the ritual immersion.
- Pour nine kavin (approximately 24 quarts) of cold water over the body from two or three vessels. Take care to begin pouring the water from the second vessel before the water has been completely poured out of the first vessel. While the nine kavin are being poured, all participants should declare three times, "She (or He) is purified." 
- Thoroughly dry the body by means of a sheet after pouring the nine kavin.
- Dab an egg broken and mixed with some vinegar on the head of the deceased and the chest.
- Attend to draping the casket with the sovev (shroud sheet) while all of the above is being done.
- The tachrichim (burial garments) should be sewn of linen, preferably real linen, with real linen thread. They should be sewn by hand, by women who are in a state of ritual purity. No pockets may be present

End of Life