Chevra Kaddisha | Imamother

keeptrying ↓

Sat, Aug 10 2024, 9:42 pm

I read the article about Chevra kaddisha in the family first this week, and besides for moving me, it made me curious about the process…. I have so many questions…. Can someone go into detail on how the whole process looks like?
I work in healthcare, actually specifically in hospice and with geriatrics , so now I am seriously considering joining (I have been asked to join in the past due to my profession, but have been early pregnant both times so declined).
Ty!

Bunch of Tulips

Sat, Aug 10 2024, 10:10 pm

keeptrying wrote:

Why don't you reach out to mishpacha and ask to get in contact with one of those women? Probably more appropriate than posting it here...

Ravenclaw

Sun, Aug 11 2024, 6:38 am

I was actually just googling this a few days ago.

I had this weird feeling that I would possibly want to join a women’s chevra Kadisha. I don’t know where to start or who to ask.

I’m not sure if it’s something you apply to or if you are just asked? I’m a deeply spiritual person and death doesn’t scare me, I find it sacred and poignant and it moves me deeply, but it doesn’t scare me so I think it’s something I would find to be a very meaningful mitzva.

Especially since most people I know get creeped out so I’m assuming it’s difficult for them to find members.

But I don’t know how it works. And how it would affect me—I believe I could handle it but who knows.

meyerlemon44

Sun, Aug 11 2024, 7:11 am

I recently joined a chevra kadisha. You would be a HUGE asset because so much of the tahara is moving the body in certain ways. We were told people like you as well as physical therapists and nurses are the best at this.

crystal

Sun, Aug 11 2024, 7:26 am

meyerlemon44 wrote:

Can you share more of your experience, both physically and emotionally? I've also been thinking about doing this and the article in mishpacha reawakened that feeling. I just wonder if I'll really be able to do this.

↑ keeptrying ↓

Sun, Aug 11 2024, 8:20 am

meyerlemon44 wrote:

.
Yes this is what I was told by the ladies “rosh”. I have a yearning to do it now, just curious how the process looks like. Death does not scare me and I don’t get grossed out by anything. So in that aspect I would be fine…
I reached out to the chevra Kaddisha head last night and she said she will call me later today to discuss.

↑ keeptrying

Sun, Aug 11 2024, 8:25 am

Bunch of Tulips wrote:

Why don't you reach out to mishpacha and ask to get in contact with one of those women? Probably more appropriate than posting it here...

I’m sorry, but I disagree with you. Although the mitzva in itself is a tznuis and sacred one, I don’t agree with you that it’s “not appropriate” to discuss the process in a general way.
This discussion will hopefully inspire other women to think of joining (in most oot communities, they are desperate). The Torah and it’s halachoe are not a secret.

Librarian

Sun, Aug 11 2024, 12:25 pm

I joined the chevra kaddisha when I was in my late 30s. I live in New York. I first had to attend a lecture by Rabbi Zohn. I was very junior and was only called upon to do simple taharos on elderly women. I found the work very moving and spiritual. I actually had to stop because I found it too physically draining. My stamina was not up to the task and I would find myself feeling woozy by the end of the hour. I just could not stand for that long. So while the emotional component is often considered, the physical side might be an issue for some. But emotionally, if you even can think of doing it, I believe you can do it.
Before I joined I read the book "Dignity Beyond Death" The Jewish Preparation for Burial by Rochel U. Berman. Everything is explained very clearly. I highly recommend it for anyone considering joining the chevra kaddisha.
Also, as an interesting aside it might be that one kind of feels a calling to this mitzvah and it turns out it runs in the family. Unbeknownst to me when I joined, my grandmother had also been a member of the chevra kaddisha. I have heard this from many people.

Last edited by Librarian on Sun, Aug 11 2024, 12:39 pm; edited 2 times in total