Ask the Rabbi
- Family and Society
- Death and Mourning
- Burial and the Cemetery
Question
I was asked by a friend of mine we why Jews do not embalm the dead.
Can you help answer this question for me?
Answer
Today embalming includes disrespecting the deceased, since nowadays it is done by extracting fluids and parts of the body and replacing them with preservers. Hence, it is forbidden.
Rabbi Ro'i Margalit
Halvayat Hamet
Rabbi Elchanan Lewis | Tammuz 9, 5769
Washing after funeral
Rabbi Daniel Kirsch | Sivan 20, 5782
Netilat Yadayim after visiting a cemetery
Rabbi Yirmiyohu Kaganoff | Elul 22, 5769
