Judaism provides a beautiful, structured approach to mourning
that involves three stages. When followed carefully, these
stages guide mourners through the tragic loss and pain and
gradually ease them back into the world. One mourner said her
journey through the stages of mourning was like being in a
cocoon. At first she felt numb and not perceptively alive, yet
gradually she emerged as a butterfly ready again to fly. The
loss is forever, but the psychological, emotional, and spiritual
healing that takes place at every stage is necessary and
healthy. This article will examine the following topics: Stage
one: shiva Arranging the shiva house After the cemetery Timing
of shiva Paying a shiva call Leaving a shiva house The three day
"shiva" Getting up from shiva Stage two: shloshim Stage three:
the one-year period Annual remembrances: yizkor Unveiling of
tombstone Visiting the cemetery Grief and bereavement After the
burial, the immediate mourners return to a home called the
"shiva house," to begin a seven day per