Beliefs about death and dying, and life after death In the Jewish religion, death is seen as a natural process and as part of God’s plan. Jewish practices following a death aim to ensure respect is shown to the dead but also to provide comfort to the living. Treatment of the body of the person who has died When a Jewish person dies, their body should not be left unattended. The rabbi or the funeral home can help coordinate a Shomer (guardian) who can stay with the body. This may be a family member, a friend or a member of the congregation. There may be more than one Shomer, or people taking turns in acting as Shomer to ensure someone stays with the body at all times. The Shomer may just sit with the body although it is traditional for the Shomer to recite tehillim (psalms). Before burial the body is washed and dressed in simple garments made of linen or cotton. This ritual is known as Tahara, meaning purification. Any jewellery is removed from the body as people are buried a...