“We sustain the poor...and visit the sick... and bury the dead...and comfort the bereaved... for these are ways of peace.”
— Talmud, Tractate Gittin 61a

Funeral arrangements often need to be made at the most difficult of times. Making decisions at a time of loss can feel overwhelming. There is a desire to create respectful and dignified funerals and to honor the deceased. Our experienced members at the Jewish Funeral Practices Committee of Greater Washington are here to help guide you when a Jewish loved one has died - click here to get started.

We have over 40 synagogue members and have been in existence since 1976. Our compassionate board members and volunteers work with Jewish families in the Greater Washington area to aid with decision making—and to provide support, guidance, financial assistance, and more.

What We Do

Our goal is to provide support, comprehensive information, and easy access to traditional, affordable Jewish funerals. We want families to avoid the upselling practices of so many commercial funeral homes. To accomplish this, we have partnered with local funeral homes to offer complete services at prices considerably less than typically otherwise available. We currently have contracts with Hines Rinaldi Funeral Home in Silver Spring MD and Cunningham Turch Funeral Home in Alexandria VA, as well as a contract with Fram Monument Company. Please click here for our basic guide to Jewish funeral practices.

Here to Help

We are happy to answer any questions about Jewish funeral practices and to provide educational programming to synagogues and organizations or individuals who wish to learn more. Please reach out to us!

Our Contracts

For a user-friendly guide and detailed explanation of our funeral home contracts, please visit our Contracts Explained page.

A Basic Guide to Jewish Funeral Practices

Before making funeral arrangements, it is helpful to understand the basic principles and practices concerning death and mourning to which all branches of Judaism subscribe:

The Body is Holy

It once held life and retains its sanctity after death. Traditionally, it is accorded the greatest respect and is accompanied from death to burial. It is not desecrated by embalming or cremation. Once the body is placed in the casket, the casket is closed and there is no "viewing." Common Jewish practices include tahara (ritual washing of the body) and shomrim (watchers) before the funeral. For more information on these practices, click here.

Death is Part of Nature

Nothing is done to mask the reality of death. Traditionally, cosmetics are not applied, and embalming is not practiced. The funeral and burial are usually a day or two following death. The body's elements return to nature.

Equality and Simplicity

Ostentation is avoided. The same dignity and simplicity is adhered to for rich and poor alike. Traditionally, the body is dressed in simple white garments (tachrichim) and buried in a plain wooden casket with no ornamentation.

Funeral and Burial

Funeral services consist of Psalms and other Biblical readings, the prayer, "God, full of mercy," and one or more eulogies. Traditionally, there are no floral displays or music and burial is in the earth in a Jewish cemetery, where the bereaved family first says the Kaddish prayer.

Comforting the Bereaved

After burial, concern is for the living. Friends and family comfort the bereaved, providing a meal of condolence at their home and visiting them during Shivah, the initial mourning period of up to seven days following burial.

Help Support Our Work

Thank you for considering the Jewish Funeral Practices Committee of Greater Washington, so we can continue to assist the DC, Maryland, and Virginia Jewish communities. We are deeply grateful for your generosity. Your donation guarantees that Jewish individuals, synagogue bereavement committees, and chevra kadisha groups have a place to turn to for services, guidance, education, and resources.