RELI 378 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Embalming
2 Jan 2018
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> in north america, burial practices reflect religious attitudes. > jewish burials -> the body is never left alone, its watchover people called shomerim (guards or keepers) > respect for dead bodies are paramount in judaism, the body is never displayed at a funeral, open casket funerals are prohibited (an enemy could come and mock the dead and they have no recourse). > bodies are viewed as impure in judaism, people who have been in the presence of the dead body must watch their hands before entering a home to reflect purity. Jewish bodies cannot be embalmed or preserved in any method. Autopsies are discouraged unless really needed to save a life (catch a murderer etc) and must be minimally invasive. > all bodies buried in the ground as a symbol of returning to the earth. > see photo sent to alie on facebook**** (copy and paste here)
