3 ms·
I am so sorry to read all these stories of loss of loved ones and so sorry for all these terrible losses of loved ones. Reading this comment about remembering
by akoster 8y ago
I am so sorry to read all these stories of loss of loved ones and so sorry for all these terrible losses of loved ones. Reading this comment about remembering the day of one's death is common practice. The word Yahrzeit (from the German words "jahr" for year and "zeit" for time), refers to the anniversary of one's death, and is observed by recalling fond memories of the decased, visiting their grave, lighting a long-burning candle, and saying a prayer (typically a Kaddish) with a quorum. [1]
The aspect of a community coming together to memorializing the deceased and supporting mourners is a core tenant of practice. The week following a death, family and friends come to the aid of a mourner by helping them around their house, providing food and visiting with them to ease their grief. Communal prayer that requires a minimum quorum of people is another way a community supports a mourner. Though many people may process grief in different ways, there is little chance a mourner will lack human interaction throughout their grieving process.
Donating to charities in memory of the deceased is also a common practice. My friend's grandmother passed from Alzheimer's disease and I made a contribution to the Alzheimer's association. I recently heard a story of a Holocaust survivor who's father had passed from asphyxiation in a cattle car filled with people en route to a concentration camp. In memory of her father, she would support other's ability to breath by making donations to supply oxygen tanks to a volunteer ambulance service.
[1] https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/281636/jewish/Yahrzeit-Memorial-Anniversary.htm https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/281636/jewish...