The practices of the shloshim period extend, only in the case of
a parent’s death, for a full year after the death. Traditionally, a
child mourning a parent abstains from shaving or cutting his hair, does
not go to social gatherings or other joyous events, and continues
reciting kaddish.
The end of the year is marked by the yahrzeit, the anniversary of the person’s death. It is customary at this time to hold an unveiling some time before the first yahrtzeit.. The headstone is unveiled in the presence of family and friends, the deceased is again recalled, and mourning prayers are recited.
At the conclusion of the year, mourning is expected to cease. Having given appropriate space to grief and bereavement, Judaism now counsels the bereaved to return fully to life. Of course, memories of the deceased will always be with us – sometimes joyful, sometimes painful. And few of us can turn this spigot on or off at the command of tradition. Still, if one finds oneself deeply depressed and having difficult reengaging in life’s activities after a full year has passed, professional help might be advisable.
From this moment forward, yahrzeit will be observed on the Hebrew anniversary of the death. On that day, it is customary to go to synagogue to say kaddish and to light a yahrzeit candle which burns for 24 hours in one’s home.
The end of the year is marked by the yahrzeit, the anniversary of the person’s death. It is customary at this time to hold an unveiling some time before the first yahrtzeit.. The headstone is unveiled in the presence of family and friends, the deceased is again recalled, and mourning prayers are recited.
At the conclusion of the year, mourning is expected to cease. Having given appropriate space to grief and bereavement, Judaism now counsels the bereaved to return fully to life. Of course, memories of the deceased will always be with us – sometimes joyful, sometimes painful. And few of us can turn this spigot on or off at the command of tradition. Still, if one finds oneself deeply depressed and having difficult reengaging in life’s activities after a full year has passed, professional help might be advisable.
From this moment forward, yahrzeit will be observed on the Hebrew anniversary of the death. On that day, it is customary to go to synagogue to say kaddish and to light a yahrzeit candle which burns for 24 hours in one’s home.
back to top
