Prayer for the ritual cleansing of the body (19th century)

Jewish funeral ceremonies are built around the principles of equality of all humans and the insignificance of material wealth. The color of mourning is white, therefore the deceased are dressed up in this color. The burial shroud (kitli) is a simple linen gown, same for the poor and the rich alike. The prayer shawl (talis) is also put on men. Small pieces of pottery are placed over the eyes. The coffin is made of untrimmed wood, and it is not nailed down. The body is put into the grave in a way that the body faces Jerusalem. The deceased is entombed by the members of the community, with the most respected member beginning the process followed by other members each putting a shovelful of dirt into the grave. After the prayer for the dead (Kaddish) is said, male members of the community line up and comfort the mourning relatives by reciting a traditional sentence (in Hebrew): "May God console you among the other mourners of Zion and Jerusalem". When leaving the cemetery, it is customary to tear a few blades of grass and toss it backwards. It is also customary not to visit the grave for one year following the funeral, but to visit once each year on the anniversary of the funeral (Jahrzeit). Graves are not decorated with flowers or wreath but pebbles and stones.