Funerals

the 7 days after someone is dead are known as shiva and people must wear black during this time, must not shave, bathe, have sex, wear perfume or wear leather shoes 

they sit on low chairs and don’t do things of pleasure of comfort

visitors come to see the mourners during shiva, but no food is served as nothing is to be taken from the mourning family

during the intense mourning of shiva, a jahrzeit candle is burnt and is also burnt a year after the death

Orthodox Jews think only burial is allowed as Genesis in the Torah says we came from the soil and shall return; Reform Jews allow cremation

the chevra kaddisha (an organization of Jewish men and women who see to it that the bodies of deceased Jews are prepared for burial) will have someone stay with the body until it is buried, which is normally as quickly as possible

a prayer called kaddish will be said many times over the week of shiva, this prayer being about God’s greatness and the hope for peace

Traditionally mourners gather at one home and receive visitors (shiva)

Neighbours often bring food for the family 

This allows the family to focus on grieving their loss.