What Is Shiva?
Shiva (שִׁבְעָה), meaning "seven" in Hebrew, is the seven-day Jewish mourning period observed following the death and burial of an immediate family member. It is one of Judaism's most important rituals of mourning and community support.
During shiva, mourners — typically a spouse, child, sibling, or parent of the deceased — remain at home and receive visitors who come to offer comfort and condolences.
Who Observes Shiva?
According to Jewish law (halacha), shiva is observed by immediate family members:
Other relatives may attend and support, but are not halachically required to observe the full seven days.
When Does Shiva Begin?
Shiva begins immediately after the burial (kevurah). The day of burial counts as the first day of shiva, even if the burial takes place late in the afternoon. In many communities, shiva is ended on the morning of the seventh day rather than waiting for the full day to complete.
Shabbat and Holidays
Shabbat counts toward the seven days of shiva but mourning practices are suspended for its duration — no one sits shiva publicly on Shabbat. Similarly, certain Jewish holidays (Yom Tov) interrupt or completely cancel shiva depending on when they fall.
What Mourners Do During Shiva
During shiva, mourners observe several practices:
What Visitors Do
Visitors to a shiva house play a crucial role in comforting the mourners (nichum aveilim). When you visit:
How to Support a Shiva Family
Beyond visiting in person, modern platforms like TheShivaPage allow the entire community to coordinate:
The Meaning Behind Shiva
Shiva is not simply a mourning ritual — it is a profound expression of Jewish community. The word "community" in Hebrew, *kehilla*, shares a root with *kol*, meaning "everything." When someone loses a loved one, the community shows up to carry them through their darkest moment.
The goal of sitting shiva is not only to honor the deceased but to ensure that the living are never alone in their grief.
Using TheShivaPage to coordinate shiva support? [Create a free shiva page](/create) in minutes.