Funeral Service Practice Exam

What Hebrew custom, also known as Tahara, includes washing with warm water, dressing, and shrouding in a white cloth?

1. Purification of the Dead

2. Memorial Washing

3. Ritual Cleansing

4. Burial Preparation

The correct answer is: Purification of the Dead

The custom known as Tahara refers specifically to the ritual of purification of the deceased in Jewish tradition. This practice involves washing the body with warm water, dressing it in garments (usually a simple white shroud, known as a tachrichim), and preparing it for burial according to Jewish law. Tahara is performed by a group of individuals called the Chevra Kaddisha, or "holy society," who take on the responsibility of honoring the deceased through this sacred process. This practice is deeply rooted in respect for the body and the belief in the sanctity of life, emphasizing that the dead should be treated with dignity and prepared for their final resting place in a manner that aligns with Jewish customs. Knowing this context helps differentiate Tahara from the other options, which refer to various aspects of religious rituals but do not specifically encapsulate the full essence and detailed practices involved in the purification of the dead.