Join the Chevra Kadisha of Greater Washington

Throughout Jewish history, each Jewish community throughout the world has established a Chevra Kadisha — a Holy Society — whose sole function is to ensure dignified treatment of the deceased in accordance with Jewish law, custom, and tradition. This auspicious title exists because performing a favor for someone who is dead is considered the ultimate act of kindness — as a dead person can never repay the kindness. For many years, being a part of the Chevra Kadisha was an honor for which one had to be selected. It was a true mark of privilege. These days, anyone can volunteer for the Chevra Kadisha.

In general, when a Jewish person dies in a city with a substantial Jewish population, the hospital or funeral home will know to call someone from the Chevra Kadisha. The Chevra Kadisha is comprised of a number of dedicated, shomer shabbat men and women who perform the most sacred of Jewish rituals — the purification of the deceased body (the tahara) prior to burial. During the process, as Judaism requires, we treat every human being with dignity and respect. Men prepare the males; women prepare the females. Those of us who attend to the body approach the deceased with a sense of holiness and carry out our duties with awe, reverence, respect, honor, and dignity.