Vitas Healthcare

Understanding Shiva

The Learning Center

In Judaism, the first period of structured mourning is shiva. The primary purpose of the shiva tradition, or "sitting shiva," is to create an environment of comfort and community for mourners

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Find information on all aspects of shiva and Jewish mourning, including suggestions on what to bring or send to a shiva, and additional articles about mourning with Judaism.

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Plan a Shiva

Jewish Funeral Home Directory

Find guidelines that are tailored to assist the family and their designated shiva coordinators or personal representatives through the planning process.

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The Jewish Funeral Home Directory is a compilation of knowledgeable and well-qualified funeral homes, mortuaries, and cemeteries located throughout the United States.

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VITAS Healthcare®, founded in 1978 and headquartered in Miami, FL, is the nation’s largest provider of end-of-life care. Our name is derived from the Latin word for “lives” and symbolizes the VITAS mission: to preserve the quality of life for those who have a limited time to live. VITAS operates hospice programs in 15 states and the District of Columbia. VITAS team members, nearly 12,000 employees, include registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, home health aides, physicians, social workers, chaplains and other caregiving professionals.

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