Jewish funeral cover mirrors. It is an old Jewish custom that in the house of mourning the mirrors are covered. And so we cover the mirrors in a house of mourning because we don’t want to be alarmed by seeing these demonic visitors. Jewish funeral homes or your synagogue will generally provide these in a shiva”kit” that might also include low benches or chairs, folding chairs for guests, and kippot. What does a shiva house look like? Traditionally, mourners cover all the mirrors in the house and sit either on low stools (in Ashkenazi tradition) or on the floors or on pillows (Sephardic tradition). Additional House of Mourning Preparations Several other matters regarding the house of mourning should be noted. While some basic customs, such as staying home and having guests over, happen at most shivas . When a Jewish person dies, it is common for the mirrors in their home to be covered. The Aish Rabbi Replies You are right that covering the mirrors is one of the more unnerving customs we see in a house of mourning. But when looking in a mirror, you may catch a glimpse of their reflection in the background. Here are the answers I have seen: Explore the intriguing funeral tradition of covering mirrors after a death and its ties to beliefs about the afterlife. Thus, mirrors must be covered in this temporary House of Worship. This tradition is generally scrupulously observed by most mourners from all of the religious spectrum, yet the purpose of this custom is rarely understood. This ritual encourages mourners to focus on prayer, remembrance, and community support. While neither sitting on stools nor covering mirrors is central to mourning in Reform Judaism, some Reform Jews choose to include one or both practices in their personal observance. There are several suggested reasons for this custom, most perfectly rational and practical, while some more Kabbalistic. " Rock, country, hymns & more. Covering them during mourning serves as a reminder. A Guide for Non-Jews Why Do the Jewish Cover Mirrors When Someone Dies: Guidance from Kronish Funeral Honoring Loved Ones with Meaningful Jewish Memorial Gifts Respectful Guidance Why do Jews cover mirrors? The practice of covering mirrors is an old Jewish custom that continues to be followed by many observant Jews today. Jewish Mourning Traditions: Covering Mirrors and Sitting Shiva While not specific to one country, Jewish mourning traditions reflect a rich cultural and spiritual framework. 10. Why are mirrors covered in a house of mourning during the shiva period? One origin of covering mirrors during shiva was the fear in ancient times that a person’s spirit could be caught in a mirror. Jan 4, 2026 · In Judaism, mirrors symbolize vanity and the physical self. Sitting like this symbolizes that the mourner is in low spirits. Jan 6, 2026 · Covering mirrors after a death is a meaningful Jewish practice that helps create a reflective and respectful environment during shiva. These customs are most common to Orthodox families, but some practices are universal. Why do Jews cover mirrors? The practice of covering mirrors is an old Jewish custom that continues to be followed by many observant Jews today. Jewish families include Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox branches of the religion. Jan 14, 2026 · Learn why families cover mirrors after a death, how the tradition appears in Jewish, Victorian, Scottish/Irish & Chinese mourning. Some also cover paintings and pictures of people. Like any Jewish tradition, shiva comes with a history of customs and rituals that date back centuries. This act helps mourners to concentrate on the soul of the departed rather than their own reflection. Today, mirrors are sometimes covered to enable family members of the deceased not to focus on their appearance, but on their loss. Jewish law clearly states that one may not worship an image or stand directly in front of one, whether it be a picture, or a reflected image in a mirror. Mourners often keep a yahrzeit memorial candle burning for the entire week. The most popular songs chosen for a man's funeral — from "My Way" to "Spirit in the Sky. It shifts the focus from the physical world to the spiritual. One such tradition that Jews observe during the Jewish mourning period of Shiva is the covering of mirrors. The profound significance behind this practice dates back centuries with several reasons why there is valuable symbolism for those mourning the loss of a loved one. xviu7, jbbj, ww1qf, hm98, ncw892, z43w8m, godaip, 8058s, ocldn, x0ol4,