Yahrzeit

The anniversary of a death is called Yahrzeit. It is observed each year on the Hebrew date of death by reciting Kaddish at a synagogue or with a minyan, and by lighting a memorial candle/lamp at home in memory of your loved one. The candle/lamp is lit at sundown the evening before the civil date. To compute a yahrzeit date, click here or contact your funeral director for a yahrzeit calendar.

(Note: if one passes after sundown, the date of death would be the following day’s Hebrew date. Example: a passing at 10 p.m. on October 28th on the English Calendar would correspond to the Hebrew Calendar date for October 29th – the following day.)

Traditionally, a yahrzeit candle is lit at sunset the night before the yahrzeit date and kept lit throughout the following day until it burns itself out. Although there are no standard prayers to commemorate a yahrzeit, many people recite some of the psalms that relate to the funeral service or other prayers or readings that seem appropriate.

Some people also visit the cemetery around this time. Some give tzedakah (charitable donations) to commemorate the yahrzeit.

For those who attend synagogue services on Shabbat, Kaddish is recited on the Shabbat before the Yahrzeit at synagogue when mourners rise to say Mourner’s Kaddish.