How long is shiva period

Shiva begins immediately following the burial and lasts for seven days, ending after the morning service on the seventh day. Shiva is not observed on the Sabbath Friday at sundown through Saturday at sundown or on holidays. A shiva is traditionally observed in the home of the deceased, but may also be observed in the residence of an immediate family member.

As a result, it is becoming more common for a shiva to take place simultaneously in multiple locations. Whether you are sitting shiva or visiting a shiva home , you will encounter various types of observances : Some are traditional while others are more liberally interpreted.

Below, you will see the definitions of some of the more traditional fulfillments. Mourners do not work during the shiva period and, for the most part, stay at home. During the shiva period, mourners also do not participate in parties, concerts, shows, movies or similar events that are celebratory in nature.

Mourners are to focus on their loss in order to be able to gradually heal, and by leaving the shiva house, mourners are surrounded by distractions and more likely to lose focus.

Mourners may also be sitting on low stools or boxes as a means of expressing grief. Visitors to a shiva home may also see that mirrors are covered. About Sinai Chapels. About Us. Our Directors. Directions to Our Chapel. Ask the Rabbi. Sinai Chapels and the Jewish Community. Our Blog. Arranging a Funeral. Where to Begin. Who to Contact. Frequently Asked Questions. Casket Selection. Local Cemeteries. Yahrzeit Calendar. Honoring Jewish Tradition. Planning in Advance.

Pre-Planning a Jewish Funeral. A Guide to Jewish Funerals. The Funeral Service. Shiva Customs. Stages of Mourning. Glossary of Jewish Funeral Terms. Service Schedule. The psychological brilliance of Judaism is nowhere more apparent than in its carefully ritualized structure for dealing with grief. Most importantly, however, the family should be together during this time.

Technically, Shiva begins immediately after the burial, while still at the cemetery. In fact, many people change into their non-leather shoes worn during Shiva while still at the cemetery, to indicate that they are now aveilim. The majority of the rituals of Shiva begin, however, when the mourners return to the Shiva home or to the place of Shiva.

At that time, prior to entering the house, the hands are washed from a pre-placed container of water, and dried on disposable towels. Then a family member lights the Shiva candle which is provided by the funeral home and which burns for seven days no blessing is recited. The Shiva candle serves as a mark of respect for the deceased, as in Jewish tradition the flame is symbolic of the soul. Below is a list of the others, each of which is a milestone for a mourner who is grieving the loss of a loved one.

The period between death and burial is known as "Aninut. This is the Hebrew word for mourning, which consists of three periods: shiva, sheloshim and the year of mourning. Shiva is the traditional seven-day period of mourning, following the burial, when mourners stay at home and receive guests to offer them comfort and participate in daily religious services. The day mourning period after the burial and including the first seven days of shiva is called Sheloshim.

It is observed by the immediate family and is designed to allow the mourners to get over the shock of the death.

The mourners return to work after the first seven days, but other restrictions remain, such as refraining from attending weddings, dances or parties. When one is mourning a parent, the observances held in sheloshim are extended for one year from the day of burial.