Create Shivah
What to Do When a Loved One Passes Away
Your Go-To Guide to Planning a Jewish Funeral and Shiva
Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult experiences anyone can face. We understand the whirlwhind of emotions that come with the urgency in Jewish tradition to make arrangements quickly - where burial often takes place within 24–48 hours.
If you are asking yourself:
- What do I do when someone passes away?
- How do I plan a Jewish funeral?
- How do I organize shiva and notify the community?
This guide will walk you through the most important steps — and show how SittingShivah.com can help you organize everything with clarity and care.
Step 1: Contact a Jewish Funeral Home and Cemetery Immediately
The first and most urgent step after a death is to contact a Jewish funeral home.
Jewish burial traditions emphasize prompt burial, so funeral homes help families quickly coordinate:
- Transportation of the deceased
- Burial arrangements at a Jewish cemetery
- Taharah (ritual preparation)
- Scheduling the funeral service
- Coordinating with clergy and synagogue leadership
Tip: Many synagogues already work closely with local Jewish funeral homes and cemeteries.
Related Resource
➡️ Learn more about organizing shiva details in one place:
SittingShivah.com – How to Plan a Shiva
Step 2: Contact Your Rabbi or Synagogue Leader
Once funeral arrangements are in motion, your next call should be to your rabbi or synagogue.
A rabbi will guide you through Jewish mourning customs, including:
- Funeral service traditions
- Burial prayers and timing
- Shiva observance
- Reciting Kaddish
- Supporting the family through mourning
Synagogues also help coordinate community support, including meal trains and attendance.
Searching for “contact rabbi after death” or “Jewish mourning customs” is common — and your local synagogue is there to help.
Step 3: Organize Shiva and Notify the Community with SittingShivah.com
After funeral details are confirmed, families must prepare for shiva — the traditional Jewish mourning period when friends and community gather to provide comfort.
This is where SittingShivah.com becomes an essential tool.
SittingShivah Helps Families:
✅ Create a complete announcement for funeral & shiva details
✅ Notify friends, family, and the wider community
✅ Coordinate visitor schedules and ensure you have a Minyan
✅ Provide addresses, service times, and real-time updates
✅ Organize method for loved ones to send food & flowers
✅ Reduce stress during an overwhelming time
Instead of managing dozens of phone calls, texts, and emails, SittingShivah gives you one organized place to communicate everything clearly.