Jewish law is rich with tradition concerning death and burial. While many traditions stem from Biblical laws, they all have a backbone of specific principles.
A human being is equated with a Torah scroll that is impaired and can no longer be used at religious services. While the ancient scroll no longer serves any useful ritual purpose, it is revered for the exalted function it once filled. Man is created in the image of God, and, although the pulse of life is no more, the human form must be respected for having once embodied the spirit of God and for the character and the personality it housed. (Maurice Lamm 3)
Jewish funeral and mourning rituals are centered around respect for the dead. The body is buried as soon as possible, so the soul can be returned to God. Leaving the body to linger in the land of the living would bring great shame to the deceased. All rituals are performed with Kivod Ha-met, or respect for the dead, in mind (Joshua Elkin). The body is not cremated, but left to decay in a natural process. The body is a gift from God, we are expected to take care of it and return it to God in the best condition possible. Because of this burial must be natural, using no embalming methods, fancy clothes or expensive coffins, and staying away from autopsies. Traditional Jewish funeral and burial rituals stem form the importance of honoring the dead and the process of life and death.
When a member of the Jewish community dies, it is considered very honorable to take care of the body of the deceased and perform the necessary rituals. Doing this honors not only the person who performs the rituals, but the deceased as well. The responsibility of the burial and funer ...