Chevra kadisha (Jewish burial society)

The chevra kadisha (literally "holy society") is the local volunteer group that prepares the body for a Jewish funeral. Almost every Jewish community in the UK has one, usually run through a synagogue or a denominational burial body. Members are trained, unpaid, and gender-matched to the person who has died.

The chevra kadisha's main functions are tahara (the ritual washing and dressing of the body in plain white shrouds), the supply of a plain pine coffin, and continuity of shomrim (watchers) so the body is not left alone between death and burial. In larger communities the work is split between specialist sub-groups for men and women.

In the UK, the chevra kadisha typically operates as part of a denominational burial scheme:

• Orthodox — the United Synagogue Burial Society runs the chevra kadisha for US member congregations; the Federation of Synagogues runs its own; the Adath Yisroel Burial Society serves the strictly Orthodox (Charedi) communities of Stamford Hill and surrounding areas; the S&P Sephardi Community runs the Sephardi equivalent.
• Masorti — most Masorti congregations have their own burial society arranging tahara and the funeral.
• Reform and Liberal — many congregations are members of the Jewish Joint Burial Society, which runs the shared scheme.

The chevra kadisha is the practical first call for any UK Jewish family. The synagogue or burial-society office connects the family with the local team.

→ Jewish funeral customs in the UK · Tahara · Faith-specific funerals

Last verified: 2 May 2026 against the United Synagogue Burial Society and Jewish Joint Burial Society published guidance.