Eric,

A public viewing of the deceased is totally against Jewish tradition,
although there are those, especially in the Reform tradition, who do not
follow this.

Joan Rivers belonged to Temple Emanuel in New York City, one of the oldest
Reform congregations in the city and so an open casket would not have been
unusual. Cremation is also forbidden in traditional Jewish practice but,
again, this is becoming more common, especially among Reform Jews. It is
clear that her family's decision, for whatever reason, was cremation.

Hope this answers your questions!
Martha Katz-Hyman
Curator
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
Williamsburg, VA

On Wed, Sep 10, 2014 at 9:10 AM, Eric Huffstutler <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

> Martha, that sounds interesting and thanks for the information.  I guess
> then "open casket" services are out since decomposition smells will start
> almost immediately without embalming?  Which makes me wonder why Joan
> Rivers, Jewish and a member of a temple, sounded like she wanted an open
> casket since she wanted to be decked out then was cremated rather than
> buried?  May be a bad example but one in the news right now to use as a
> reference.
>
> Thanks.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion of research and writing about Virginia history [mailto:
> [log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Martha Katz-Hyman
> Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2014 10:58 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: [VA-HIST] Cemeteries and Burial question
>
> Craig,
>
> Jewish law specifically forbids embalming as it delays the natural
> processes that return the body to the earth, unless it is required by civil
> law. Therefore Jewish funerals and burials usually take place within a day
> or, at most, 2 days, after death. In some cases burial takes place the same
> day! Since Jewish law is quite specific in this matter, in cities with
> large Jewish communities, funerals are handled by funeral homes experienced
> in this area, usually Jewish-owned. In smaller communities, like Newport
> News, the Jewish community arranges with one or more funeral homes to do
> Jewish burials, instructing them on the laws and rituals required.
>
> There are lots of sources that explain Jewish law and customs regarding
> death, burial and mourning. Here are three of those links:
> http://www.jewishfederations.org/funeral-customs.aspx
>
> http://www.uscj.org/JewishLivingandLearning/Lifecycle/JewishFuneralPractice/GuidetoJewishFuneralPractice.aspx
> http://www.jewish-funeral-guide.com/tradition/funeral-customs.htm
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Martha Katz-Hyman
> Curator
> Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
> Williamsburg, VA
>
>
>
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