Jewish Mourning Resources
Guides, explanations, and practical advice for navigating Jewish mourning practices — from shiva to shloshim and beyond.
📖 Foundational Guides
What Is Shiva? A Complete Guide
Shiva is the seven-day Jewish mourning period observed after the loss of an immediate family member. Learn what it means and how to participate.
7 min read →
Foundational GuidesWhat to Say (and Not Say) When Visiting a Shiva House
Knowing what to say at shiva can feel overwhelming. Here is the traditional greeting, phrases to avoid, and how to show up meaningfully for a mourning family.
5 min read →
Foundational GuidesShiva Etiquette: A Complete Guide for Visitors
A practical guide to shiva etiquette: timing your visit, what to wear, what to bring, and how to show up in a way that genuinely helps.
6 min read →
Foundational GuidesShloshim: The 30 Days of Mourning After Shiva
Shloshim is the 30-day mourning period that follows burial. Learn what practices are observed, what changes after shiva ends, and how to continue supporting a family.
5 min read →
Foundational GuidesHow to Set Up a Shiva House
A complete checklist for organizing a shiva house: what to prepare, how to arrange the space, and how to coordinate the community for meals, minyanim, and more.
6 min read →
Foundational GuidesShiva Food: What to Bring and What to Avoid
Bringing food to shiva is one of the most meaningful gestures you can make. Here's exactly what to bring, what to avoid, and how to coordinate with other community members.
5 min read →
Foundational GuidesWhat Happens on Shabbat During Shiva?
Shabbat during shiva is unique — mourning practices are suspended, but the day still counts toward the seven. Here's what to know.
4 min read →
❓ Laws & Q&A
Shiva Laws and Customs: Your Complete Q&A
A comprehensive Q&A on the halachic laws and customs of shiva — covering the five prohibitions, keriah, the first meal, mirrors, low chairs, and more.
8 min read →
Laws & Q&AKaddish: What It Is, When to Say It, and Why It Matters
Kaddish is Judaism's most famous mourner's prayer — yet it contains no mention of death. Here's what it is, who says it, for how long, and what it means.
6 min read →
Laws & Q&ANon-Jewish Visitors at a Shiva: What You Need to Know
If you've been invited to a shiva and you're not Jewish, you may have questions about what to expect. This guide walks you through everything with warmth and clarity.
5 min read →
Laws & Q&AJewish Mourning Timeline: From Death to Yahrzeit
Jewish mourning is structured in stages — each with its own name, duration, and set of practices. Here is the full timeline from the moment of death through the annual yahrzeit.
7 min read →
🤝 Community & Coordination
What Is Mishna Learning and Why Do We Do It After Someone Dies?
Mishnayos learning after a death is one of Judaism's most powerful expressions of love and honor for the departed. Here's what it means and how to participate.
6 min read →
Community & CoordinationHow to Coordinate a Minyan for Shiva
Ensuring a minyan at a shiva house for the full seven days requires coordination. Here's how to organize davening times and get the community involved.
5 min read →
Community & CoordinationVirtual Shiva: How to Run One Online
When family is far away or a large in-person gathering isn't possible, a virtual shiva allows the community to show up meaningfully from anywhere in the world.
5 min read →
Coordinating a Shiva?
Create a free TheShivaPage to coordinate meals, Mishnayos, minyanim, and gifts in one place.
Create a Shiva Page →