Guides
When a Death Occurs, Call Us at Any Hour
Here is what to do when a Jewish person dies, step by step. You do not need to know every next step. Call us any hour, including Shabbat, and we will take it from there.
Reviewed by Joyce E. Torchinsky, funeral director.
The First Hours, in Short
- Make sure the death is officially pronounced by a doctor or hospice nurse.
- Call your rabbi if you have one, and call us at (202) 541-1001.
- Take the time you need to say goodbye. Your loved one should not be left alone.
- Jewish burial usually takes place within a day or two, and we will help you set the time.
What to Do When a Jewish Person Dies, Step by Step
Most families follow these steps in the first hours. Go at your own pace.
1
Get the Death Pronounced
A doctor, or a hospice nurse if your loved one was in hospice, must officially pronounce the death and complete the forms for the death certificate.
2
Call Your Rabbi, Then Call Us
If you belong to a synagogue, call your rabbi. Then call Torchinsky at (202) 541-1001. If you are not affiliated, simply call us and we will help.
3
Take Time to Say Goodbye
At home there is no need to rush. You can sit with your loved one before we arrive.
4
We Bring Your Loved One Into Our Care
We come to you, bring your loved one into our care, and arrange shmirah and taharah with the Chevra Kadisha.
5
Tell Close Family and Set the Time
Let close family know. We set the funeral time with you, your rabbi, and the cemetery.
At Home, in Hospice, or in a Hospital
At Home
There is no need to move your loved one right away. Arrange the pronouncement, then call us when you are ready.
In Hospice
A plan is usually already in place, and the hospice nurse pronounces the death. Tell the nurse you are using Torchinsky.
In a Hospital or Care Facility
Tell the staff you are using Torchinsky, and ask that your loved one not be disturbed until we arrive.
Jewish Customs in the First Hours
Many families follow these customs right after a death. Your family’s practice and your rabbi’s guidance come first.
- Those present traditionally say Baruch Dayan Ha-Emet, blessed is the true Judge.
- The eyes and mouth are gently closed, and your loved one is covered with a sheet.
- A candle may be placed near the head, except on Shabbat.
- Mirrors in the home are covered.
- Shmirah begins: someone stays with your loved one until the funeral.
To learn what each custom means and what follows, read our guide to Jewish funeral and mourning traditions, or see how we arrange taharah and shmirah.
If the Death Occurs on Shabbat or a Holiday
You can still call us at (202) 541-1001. We answer on Shabbat and holidays. Arrangements and the burial wait until Shabbat or the holiday ends, and we will guide you through the hours in between.
What to Have Ready
- Full name and Hebrew name
- Parents’ Hebrew names
- Cemetery or plot information
- Any pre-plan on file
- Synagogue and rabbi
- Benefits and insurers to notify (In the first days: Social Security, Veterans Affairs if applicable, pensions, and life insurance. Avoid major financial decisions for now.)
- Certified death certificates (We order them for you; most families need several.)
Reviewed by Joyce E. Torchinsky
Joyce E. Torchinsky is the owner and a funeral director of Torchinsky Hebrew Funeral Home, with more than 30 years in funeral service. She taught mortuary science and directed the Mortuary Science Program at CCBC Catonsville. She reviews our guides so that each step is accurate and practical for families in Greater Washington. Every family’s practice differs, so follow your rabbi’s guidance where it differs from ours. Joyce E.
Questions About What to Do When a Loved One Dies
If the death was expected, call the hospice nurse or doctor to pronounce it, then call your rabbi and Torchinsky at (202) 541-1001. If the death was sudden or unexpected, call 911 first.
Call whenever you are ready. We answer any hour, including Shabbat. Jewish burial usually takes place within a day or two, so calling early gives us time to arrange everything.
Tell the staff that your family is using Torchinsky Hebrew Funeral Home and ask that your loved one not be disturbed until we arrive. We will contact the hospital or hospice and take care of the transfer.
We can help you find a rabbi or a non-religious officiant who will lead the service with care. Many families we serve are not affiliated with a synagogue.
Most families need several certified copies, one for each bank, insurer, and government agency that requires an original. We order them for you, and we can help you estimate the number for your family’s situation.
Related Guides and Services
- What happens at a traditional Jewish funeral Chapel and synagogue services
- Shiva guide The week of mourning at home
- Burial in Israel If burial will be in Israel
- Contact us Questions that can wait
We Are Here Now
Call (202) 541-1001, any hour, including Shabbat. We will tell you exactly what happens next.