Question
I have a question about burials that I am hoping you may answer for me. I’m reading the article about the bereavement believes for the Jewish faith located at Wikipedia. It mentions both a secured coffin and an unsecured coffin. I was wondering what the correct procedure would be. Also I was wondering what if a family member wanted to put a personal item in the coffin with the deceased.
Answer
A secured coffin is used if the body is to be shipped for burial in another state or country. For local burial a regular plain pine coffin is used. We do not place anything in the coffin with the body other than the prayer shawl that the deceased used for prayer. Some earth from Israel is often added as well.