Death, Funerals and Mourning
Judaism emphasises the principles of k’vod ha-met – honour and dignity in death – and the centrality of supporting people when a loved one has died. There are a number of funeral options in Progressive Judaism, including burial, woodland burial and cremation.
The death of a loved one can be a challenging time; one in which we can feel a mixture of seemingly incompatible emotions. We may feel sad that our time on this planet with a person has come to an end but relieved, if they were suffering, that they are no longer in pain.
Remember, there is no ‘correct’ way to feel and your local community should be able to provide you with practical and pastoral support.
The Movement for Progressive Judaism supports funerals through several established pathways:
Most of our congregations are connected to one of these two main burial schemes – LJBS and JJBS – and some communities also operate their own local burial arrangements.
Because of this, funeral arrangements cannot always move between schemes once they have begun. This can feel confusing at a moment of vulnerability, which is why our approach is simple and human: start with a conversation.
Whether you are a member of a community or not, and wherever you are in the UK, we will help you find the right pathway and guide you with care and clarity.
Our Lifecycle and Outreach Manager, Tanya, is the first point of contact for all enquiries. She can be contacted on funerals@progressivejudaism.org.uk and will help identify the appropriate route, explain options and connect you with the right people.
There is tremendous value in speaking with your family about what you want to happen after you die, sharing your wishes in advance is likely to be a great relief for both you and your family. To support these difficult conversations we have created this Advanced Personal Information Pack (put together by Richard Conradi of The Ark Synagogue).
There are various contact points when it comes to funerals and mourning. Please speak to your local community’s rabbi or cantor and/or The Movement for Progressive Judaism in the first instance.
