Anyone wanna fill me in on Jewish funerals?

[bicentennial_baby]

My friend Dave's is on Tuesday, and I am planning on attending. His family are Reform Jewish, and his wife says it will be "very casual".

Anyone?

Thanks. :hi:

[Critters2]

1. Dress as you would for any other funeral. Since it's Reform,

the prayers will mostly, maybe all, be in English. If Sniffa goes with, he may be asked to wear a kippah, which the funeral home will have on hand. Again, being Reform, this may not happen. At the cemetery, the body will probably be lowered into the grave while you're still there, unlike most Protestant funerals, where the body is lowered later. You, along with everyone else, may be offered the opportunity to shovel a little bit of dirt onto the casket, after it's lowered.

I've only been to two Jewish funerals--my cousin (Conservative); and a friend (Reform). I had no problem following and participating appropriately in both of them. You'll be fine.

[fizzgig]

2. it'll be pretty much the same as any other funeral

my dad's family is reform and the only thing he told me before my grandmother's funeral was to not wear any jewelry, but the rest of my family did, so i'm not sure you have to worry about that. there may or may not be a viewing, my grandmother's was a private viewing for family and close friends, but the funeral was closed-casket.

i don't know if you'll be going to the interment, but sometimes families and friends will shovel dirt onto the casket once it's been lowered into the grave.

wish i could be of more help

:hug:

[TZ]

3. If its reform it will be casual

Really not much to be worried about. Closed casket is standard. At the graveyard some will be invited to throw dirt on the casket I think --it is burial right? My grandfather was actually cremated which is NOT standard...
After words you will probably be invivted to go "sit shiva" with the family which is basically a big social activity with lots of food...If you are you will be encouraged to bring something ( a food dish likely) for the family.
No big deal.

[jerryster]

4. The responses so far are on target.

If you go directly after the funeral to the house then you need not worry about bringing anything. If you go later or on a different night you can bring sweets. Sweets are to take away the bitterness of loss.