Obituaries in Israel: Customs, Principles, and Essence

Obituaries are part of the tradition of commemoration and announcement of death in Israel. They are intended to inform the public of a person’s death, announce funeral and memorial details, and help family and colleagues share the pain and sorrow. In Israel, obituaries are considered a central component of Jewish and general mourning culture, and they appear in a variety of forms – physical and digital.

What is a mourning notice ?

An obituary is a public announcement announcing the death of a person. The notices are usually posted throughout cities and neighborhoods on public walls, buildings, and businesses, and are often also published in newspapers or digital media. In addition, in certain institutions (for example, in buildings where the deceased lived or worked) it is customary to post notices to ensure that colleagues and neighbors know about the death and can participate in the mourning.

Structure of a mourning notice

An obituary usually includes several key elements, the purpose of which is to inform the public in a clear and respectful manner:

1. Headline of the ad :
• The ad often begins with words such as "with great sadness," "deep sorrow," or "sadly announcing." These words foreshadow the content of the ad and prepare readers for the announcement of the deceased's death .
2. Name of the deceased :
• The full name of the deceased appears clearly, usually prominently on the announcement. In some cases, honorary titles, such as "Rabbi," "Dr.," or "Professor," are also added, if the person was honored with such an honor .
3. Dates of death and birth :
• Sometimes it is customary to indicate the date of death according to the Hebrew calendar, and sometimes also the foreign date .
4. Funeral details :
• The ad includes the funeral details – date, time and location. In some cases, information about arranged travel or other means of getting to the funeral will also appear .
5. Details of the oath :
• It is important to include in the announcement the location of the shiva, the visiting hours, and information on the days of the shiva (seven, sometimes thirty). These are important details that allow acquaintances and relatives to come to comfort the family .
6. The names of the mourners :
• It is customary to list the names of immediate family members – children, parents, siblings, spouses, grandchildren, etc. The names of the mourners provide additional identification for those who know the deceased through their relatives .

Where do we hang obituaries ?

In Israel, obituary notices are hung in different places depending on community customs and the location of the death:

1. Streets and buildings :
• One of the most familiar places to hang mourning notices is on the walls of buildings, especially in public areas where there is a lot of traffic, such as city centers, near synagogues, bus stops, and near major businesses .
2. At work :
• In cases where the deceased worked at a particular institution or was part of a professional community, these institutions will publish a mourning notice to inform colleagues and honor the deceased .
3. Cemeteries :
• On the day of the funeral, it is customary to hang mourning notices at the entrance to the cemetery to inform the arriving public about the event .
4. Newspapers and digital websites :
• Publishing obituaries in the written press is a common practice, especially in local newspapers or religious publications. In addition, many websites publish obituaries digitally, allowing relatives and viewers around the world to receive information about the funeral and memorial service .

Types of obituaries

In Israel, there are several types of obituaries, depending on the circumstances:

1. Death notices :
• The most common advertisements are those that announce the death of a person and invite the public to the funeral and memorial service .
2. Memorial announcements :
• It is customary to publish memorial notices before the annual memorial date, especially on the anniversary or thirtieth day of the death. These notices specify dates and memorial ceremonies, such as a visit to the grave and other events .
3. Ads from organizations or institutions :
• Sometimes, organizations and institutions where the deceased worked publish their own obituary, containing a personal message from the workplace, the committee, or members of the institution. Sometimes these notices are posted alongside the family notice .

What is important to include in grief announcements ?

When drafting a obituary, there are several important principles to follow:

1. Clarity : It is important to word the ad clearly and precisely, especially the funeral and memorial service details. The ad should be informative and leave no room for doubt .
2. Respect for the deceased : The announcement should reflect the respect and esteem that the family and the public have for the deceased. The use of inappropriate language or the provision of irrelevant details should be avoided .
3. Cultural Adaptation : In the various sectors in Israel, there are differences in the wording and style of obituary notices. It is important that the notice be adapted to the culture of the community and its accepted norms .
4. Accuracy in times and locations : It is important to make sure that all information about the funeral and memorial service is accurate. Errors in these details can cause great inconvenience to the mourners and the family .

 

Summary

Obituaries in Israel are a central tool for announcing a death and inviting the public to participate in mourning. The notices serve as an effective way to update on funeral and memorial details, and they are an integral part of Jewish and Israeli tradition. The introduction of notices into the public space – physical or digital – ensures that the memory and respect for the deceased will remain even after their death, and that the family and community will be comforted and share in their grief.