BEREAVEMENT, FUNERALS AND THE CHEVRA KADISHA

Dealing with the death of a loved one is an extraordinarily difficult endeavor. Our Chevra Kadisha ("Sacred Society") is a Volunteer Support Service conducting acts of Hesed (loving kindness) to provide a continuum of care to the dying and to the mourning meeting needs and providing support with end-of-life issues.

A group of dedicated volunteers, can help you prepare for this difficult time and support you during the immediate period following the death of a loved one and offers whatever support and assistance a family needs.

“MAY YOUR EARS BE ATTENTIVE TO THE VOICE OF ALL MY SUPPLICATIONS” Psalm 130

תִּהְיֶינָה אָזְנֶיךָ, קַשֻּׁבוֹת לְקוֹל תַּחֲנוּנָי

This may include the following services:

a. Visiting and praying with the sick person (Bikkur Cholim)

b. Helping the mourners make funeral arrangements

c. Setting up shiva

d. “Watching” the body prior to the funeral (Sh'mirah) (attending the deceased until burial)

e. Accompanying the mourners to services during the period of Shloshim, the first 30 days.

Resources

1. Prayer for When There is No Minyan to Say Kaddish

2. Tractate Moed Katan Referencing Mourning Practices by Isaac Pollack

3. Understanding Jewish Practices: Jewish Funerals Kavod v'Nichum

4. Judaism, Hospice and Palliative Care: Questions and Answers. My Jewish Learning.

5. List of Serving Congregations & Synagogues

6. The Rabbinical Council of America.

7. Halachic Health Care Proxy and Directive with Respect to Healthcare and Post-Mortem Decisions (pdf)

8. Rabbinical Assembly Link: Ethical Guidelines & Organ Donation Card, Lifecycle: Death & Mourning (pdf)

   1. Guide to Jewish Funeral Practice

   2. Cemetery and Burial

   3. Genizah

   4. Mourning: Tractate Moed Katan Pertaining to Mourning Practices

   5. Saying Kaddish for Twelve Months, a Valid Alternative.

   6. Cemetery & Burial

   7. Book Saying Kadish & Anita Diamant Mourn as a Jew resources

   8. Book A Time to Mourn, a Time to Comfort, 2nd Ed. A Guide to Jewish Bereavement

9. Agudath Israel of America: Email, Link to Website, and End of Life Symposium

10. The Rabbinical Assembly. Jewish Medical Directives for Health Care

11. Observant Jew: The Halachic Living Will

12. Attitude Toward Sickness, Dying & Death as in Liturgical Works

13. Living Wills for Georgia

14. Cemetery Association

At Avycare, we are committed to making this journey as peaceful and meaningful as possible, regardless of it's length. Avycare is your Partner in End-of-Life Care. Call Avycare at 770.940.0700 with any questions.