Funeral

In Israel there were a variety of different customs surrounding funerals that were very similar to those of the cultures surrounding them.

Mourning

The person who died was mourned through lamentation, the wearing of special clothing and walking barefoot.

The deceased was carried on a bier to his grave. Sometimes herbs and spices were used at the funeral and the body was wrapped in linen cloths.

Examples of funeral customs can be found in:

Genesis 50:1-13: Jacob’s funeral in Egypt. Jacob is embalmed after his death and buried in Canaan.
2 Samuel 21:11-14: David has Saul and Jonathan’s bones buried.
Matthew 27:57-66: Jesus is laid in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea.
Luke 7:11-17: The burial of a young man from Nain.
John 11:1-44: Lazarus is buried, then four days later he is raised from the dead by Jesus.