Chevra members perform tahara, the washing and purification of the body - referred to as the met - in preparation for burial. The body is then dressed in a simple white cotton or linen suit called tachrichim and put into an unadorned, pine coffin. Chevra members also perform shmira (guarding), a continuous vigil of the met that takes place from death until interment The shomer (guard) reads psalms or prayers, while a candle burns continuously at the head of the coffin. Both tahara and shmira are done in a very respectful and loving way. They are meant to help survivors cope with their loss by honoring their loved one with dignity and to help guide the deceased on this last journey.

As soon as you learn that your loved one has died, or if you anticipate a death in your family and would like to make prior arrangements, call your rabbi, the rabbi of a local synagogue, or contact your desired mortuary. They will notify and work directly with the Boulder Chevra Kadisha directly. For contact information on local Rabbis, Congregations and Mortuaries, click here.

The Chevra’s services begin as soon as possible after death and end with removal from the mortuary for burial or cremation.

You may have shmira without tahara and tahara without shmira.

The fee for tahara and shmira is $279 to support the Boulder Chevra Kadisha. The mortuary working with the family collects this fee.

The Boulder Chevra Kadisha is available to serve all Jews in our community.

Discuss it with your rabbi and your family. You may include your desire for chevra kadisha services in your pre-planning documents.

The Chevra Kadisha invites volunteers from the Jewish community to sit shmira or perform tahara. Contact us with this form.

Contact the Boulder Chevra Kadisha with this form.

Both the National Association of Chevra Kadisha (NASCK) and Kavod v’Nichum have a directory on their website.

Kavod v’Nichum

NASCK