Is Cremation Still Off Limits For Jews?

RECONSTRUCTIONIST

No, cremation is not off limits for Jews, because Jews are in fact making the choice to be cremated. As a rabbi, I want to be a caring and comforting presence in the grieving process, whether a person chooses traditional burial or cremation, and I seek to do so without judgment. The most important thing at the time of a person’s death is for family members to respect their loved one’s wishes and seek peace for them and for themselves through their love, memories and mourning.

At the same time, when those who are exploring burial options come to me for guidance, I try to convey the beauty and profundity of traditional Jewish burial and encourage it. Jewish rituals around burial and mourning work together as a sensitive system that provides enormous comfort and wisdom. The emphasis on natural burial has much in common with green burial. And there is a lot to be said for passing on a cultural tradition as a whole in which loved ones know what to expect, potentially reducing friction at the most sensitive of times. Nevertheless, I always trust individuals to make the right choice for themselves in this most personal of decisions.

Rabbi Caryn Broitman
Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Congregation
Vineyard Haven, MA