Tahara Ritual: How the Jewish Washing and Shrouding of the Body Works

Tahara is the Jewish ritual of washing and purifying a body before burial. A chevra kadisha, or "holy society," of trained members cleans the body, pours a continuous stream of water over it while saying prayers, and dresses it in plain white shrouds. The word means "purification," and the whole ritual is done quietly and privately as an act of respect for the person who has died, known as kavod ha-met.

What is tahara?

Tahara (also spelled taharah or tahora) is the traditional cleaning and ritual preparation of a body before a Jewish burial. It is not the same as a funeral home's cosmetic preparation for a viewing. It is a religious rite, and it follows set prayers and procedures.

The Jewish community sees this work as chesed shel emet, a "true kindness," because the person cannot thank or repay those who care for them. The preparation is meant to return the body to the earth in the way it came into the world: simple, modest and equal to everyone else.

Who performs the tahara?

The tahara is performed by the chevra kadisha, a Jewish burial society. My Jewish Learning explains that its members are specially trained Jews, and that in some places funeral staff perform the ritual instead. Traditionally:

• Men prepare male bodies and women prepare female bodies, so that modesty is preserved even after death.
• The members work in near silence, apart from prescribed prayers and psalms.
• Many chevra kadisha groups are volunteer-run.

Some non-Orthodox communities have adapted the practice, for example by using mixed-gender teams or gender-inclusive liturgy. Practice varies, so ask your rabbi or local chevra kadisha what they do.

The steps of a tahara

Kavod v'Nichum, a nonprofit that supports Jewish burial societies, describes the tahara in these parts:

1. Rechitzah (washing). All items are removed from the body, and the body is gently cleaned. Modesty is kept throughout, with most of the body covered.
2. Tahara (purification). Water is poured continuously over the body, traditionally 24 quarts, which stands in for immersion in a mikveh (ritual bath). Prayers are said during the pouring.
3. Halbashah (dressing). The body is dressed in tachrichim, plain white garments of linen or cotton. A man may also be wrapped in a tallit (prayer shawl), with one of its fringes cut to show it will no longer be used.
4. Halanah (placing in the casket). The body is laid in a simple wooden casket, often lined with sheets.

Burial societies also traditionally ask the deceased for forgiveness for any dignity that was unintentionally lost during the preparation. Details differ between communities, so what your chevra kadisha does may differ slightly from this outline.

What is shemira?

Shemira means "guarding." Jewish tradition holds that the body should not be left alone between death and burial. A shomer (watcher) stays nearby, often reciting Psalms, and a candle burns through the vigil. Families can take turns, or the community or funeral home can arrange a shomer. Kavod v'Nichum notes that the body is not viewed during this period.

Key terms you may hear

Burial timing and the casket

Jewish funerals traditionally take place as soon as possible. Kavod v'Nichum says burial often happens within 24 to 48 hours. My Jewish Learning notes that in North America burial usually happens within about three days, for example to let relatives arrive, and that the Sabbath and holidays can affect timing. The casket is traditionally plain wood with no metal, and Kavod v'Nichum says ideally the grave is unlined so the body is in direct contact with the earth. For cemetery rules in detail, see our guide to Jewish burial requirements and the wider Jewish funeral traditions.

If you are comparing choices, our guide to Jewish vs Christian burial sets out the main differences.

Organ donation, cremation and tahara

Organ donation. My Jewish Learning reports support for organ donation across the range of Jewish observance, from Reform to haredi Orthodox, and some Orthodox rabbis consider it obligatory when it saves a life. The Halachic Organ Donor Society says it knows of no case where a donor was denied burial in a Jewish cemetery. Some preparation details may change, so talk with your rabbi ahead of time. See our guide to organ donation after death.

Cremation. Orthodox and Conservative authorities prohibit cremation. The Reform movement discourages it but does not consider it sinful. Most Jewish cemeteries will accept cremated remains, though some burial societies decline as a deterrent. Families who are unsure should speak with a rabbi.

Arranging a tahara and what it may cost

1. Call your rabbi or synagogue first. They can put you in touch with the local chevra kadisha or a Jewish funeral home, which can send people quickly.
2. Ask who performs the tahara and whether the community does it differently from what you expect.
3. Ask about fees. Many chevra kadisha volunteers are unpaid, but there can be charges for the facility, shrouds, casket and burial. Funeral homes must give you a General Price List under the FTC Funeral Rule, so ask for it and see our guide to the general price list.
4. Write down your wishes in advance, including a preference for tahara, so your family does not have to guess. Naming a rabbi you trust in your advance directive can also help medical staff understand your wishes.

After the burial, the family begins the mourning period described in our guides to shiva and the Kaddish prayer.