I am non Jewish and will be visiting a friend who passed away in the Jewish cemetery. I have some questions, what are the do's and don't during the visit and meeting the family for the first time. They have asked me for lunch and dinner. Last question is, do i need to wear any special attire to visit the cemetery and what can be a special item to bring to my deceased friend? Thank you for your help!
Sorry to hear of your loss. There is no special attire other than what you would normally wear to a funeral. When visiting the family its common practice to bring a cake or any baked goods.
Love is the battery of life....
Hi,At the cemetery it will be nice if you put a Yarmulke (or any hat) on your head. You don't need to pray (as you are not Jewish). When you visit the family make sure you don't bring with yourself any non-Kosher food (specially not any kind of pork meat). No, you don't have to bring anything.Best regards,
You should dress respectfully- no cleavages or short pants, for a man some hat would be appreciated. If the family is observing the Shiva- the 7 days of mourning, bringing by some food is nice, but nothing is obligatory.
It is customary for each person to place a stone on the grave, so as to "build" the gravestone. You can also place some other item if you wish, of course, but nothing is obligatory.
If they are observant, they may also wash hands at a special sink while leaving the cemetery- so as to wash death from their hands. They might also try to leave the cemetery in a different pathway then the one they arrived through, has to do with bad luck.
At large, just try to see what people around you do and follow if it seems appropriate.
My condolences on your loss.
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I am sorry for your loss.
Often times you won't see flowers on a Jewish grave. Flowers are not put because they die; and it's believed a person's soul lives forever. Instead, you might see someone place a rock on the gravestone. Stones are put because they are strong and last forever. So if you want, you can always place a small stone on the grave.
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