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Whether you need guidance on Tahara, shmira or tachrichim, the expert team at Harmony Funeral Home has the experience to guide you through the process of Jewish law when it comes to Jewish funeral traditions in Brooklyn. You can count on them to ensure there’s no embalming, and your loved one is placed in a simple wooden casket. They make sure there is a burial before sundown if that’s what your family requires. Of all the funeral parlors in Brooklyn, Harmony Funeral Home rates the highest with numerous “Best of the Best” awards from the National Funeral Directors Association.
What Are the Core Traditions in Orthodox Jewish Funerals?
The process of an Orthodox Jewish funeral begins with Tahara, a ritual washing and purification of the body. A sacred group known as the Chevra Kadisha, which is the holy society, gently cleanses your loved one with great respect. As they wash the body, they pray for the soul to be forgiven and to rest in peace.
After purification, the body is dressed in tachrichim, simple white linen shrouds that represent purity, modesty and equality in death. From the moment of death until the burial, the body is never left alone.
When you rely on the experienced expertise of the team at Harmony Funeral Home, they ensure that a watcher is present. This tradition is called shmira, which brings spiritual comfort to the soul. They also arrange the burial before sundown or within 24 hours. Delaying burial is avoided unless necessary, such as for transporting the body or waiting for close family to arrive.
How Do Liberal Jewish Funerals Differ?
You have more room to personalize the funeral service if your beliefs align with Liberal Judaism. You can blend Jewish traditional funeral rites with modern elements like music, poetry and personal stories. If you’re considering cremation, many Liberal Jewish communities accept it as a personal choice.
You may also explore environmentally friendly options like green burials. Even with cremation, you still can hold a meaningful Jewish funeral that includes:
- Include traditional prayers like Kaddish and El Maleh Rachamim to honor and remember your loved one.
- Personalize the service with meaningful readings, poems or scriptures that reflect your loved one’s life.
- Shiva period. This occurs afterthe funeral, and is a time for mourning, reflection and support from family and friends.
What Are the Unique Aspects of Russian Jewish Funerals in Brooklyn?
If you’re planning a Russian Jewish funeral in Brooklyn, you’re blending Jewish tradition with rich cultural heritage. Many families from the former Soviet Union were raised with limited exposure to religion due to decades of suppression. Because of that, your funeral choices may reflect a cultural or secular form of Judaism even while still embracing traditional rituals, such as:
- The Kaddish
- Quick burial
- Covering mirrors during mourning
- Tearing garments
- Lighting a memorial candle
- Using a simple wooden casket
- Holding a shiva gathering
- Reciting Psalms
You may want a Russian-speaking rabbi or officiant. Funeral materials, programs, prayers and speeches are often in Russian and English. After the funeral, you may host a memorial meal with traditional foods with the help of repass services and assistance in Brooklyn.
How Do I Choose the Right Type of Jewish Funeral for My Family’s Beliefs?
Your cultural roots influence your choices. Many families in Brooklyn’s multicultural Jewish communities blend traditions especially when family members come from different backgrounds. Harmony Funeral Home proudly serves the Flatbush, East Flatbush and Canarsie communities and work closely with local clergy and community leaders to ensure every funeral feels authentic and comforting to suit your family’s needs.
Not every funeral parlor in Brooklyn understands Jewish traditions or proper funeral etiquette. Harmony Funeral Home, awarded exceptional service and community involvement honors by the NFDA, stands out among funeral parlors in Brooklyn because of its commitment to meeting both religious law and family needs.
Their team continues to serve multicultural families while honoring the sacred Brooklyn burial traditions that matter to your community. Contact Harmony Funeral Home in Brooklyn for pre-planning or immediate needs.
Harmony Funeral Home
2200 Clarendon Rd.,
Brooklyn, NY 11226
(718) 469-6666