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There is a mitzva to bury the dead immediately, as it says, “You must bury him the same day” (Deuteronomy 21:23). Burial may be delayed only if there is a very good reason related to the dignity of the deceased. Those who participate in the funeral are fulfilling the mitzva of being kind to the family as well as the deceased; to the latter, the kindness is even greater because there will be no reciprocity. Therefore, all those who knew and valued the deceased and who live nearby should participate in the funeral.
It is a mitzva to bury the body in the ground (“for from it you were taken”), and it is a mitzva for the participants to help fill in the grave with dirt. Symbolically, burial covers the shame of death, caused by the sin of Adam and Eve. Burial in the ground also involves forgiveness, which is why during the burial we recite the verse “He is compassionate; He forgives iniquity” (Psalms 78:38).
It is customary to bury the dead in simple white shrouds, equalizing the rich and the poor. Even when burial is done in tiers, it is still considered burying in the ground. However, cremation does not fulfill the mitzva of burial. If the opportunity arises to donate organs to save lives, it is a mitzva to do so, and does not detract from the mitzva of burial.
Whether at a funeral or any other time, visitors to a cemetery should recite the following blessing upon seeing the graves, in order to properly focus their thoughts and feelings: “Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who created you justly, fed you justly, supported you justly, brought you to life justly, and gathered you in justly. He knows the numbers of all of you, and in the future, He will resurrect you justly for eternal life. Blessed are You, Lord, Who resurrects the dead” (Sephardic formulation). The blessing is recited if the visitor has not seen graves within thirty days.
