A Dying Person 1 | חברה קדישא חיפה

What Should People next to the Bed of a Dying Person Do?

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When a person is likely to die and is in his final hours, those present should stand around his bed and recite the vidui (confession) prayer that is recited on Yom Kippur. He should not be touched or moved at this time; he is like a candle going out, and touching him makes the candle go out faster. After vidui, psalms are recited: Psalm 121 – I lift my eyes to the mountains, Psalm 130 – Out of the depths I call to you, O Lord, and Psalm 91 – You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High. When those present feel that his soul is leaving the body, the Shema prayer ("Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One"), should be recited, followed by three repetitions of the verse, "Blessed be the name of His glorious kingdom for ever and ever" and seven repetitions of the verse "God is the Lord" and one recitation of "God is King, God has always been King, God will always be King."

What Should Be Done After the Deceased's Soul Leaves His Body?

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After the soul leaves the body, the windows of the house are opened if the person died at home (if he died in a hospital, the windows of the room in which he died are opened). All of the water in vessels in the house (or in the same room) is then spilled out. In a private dwelling, the deceased's body is lowered to the floor with his legs together and his hands beside his chest. His eyes are closed, and his body is covered by a sheet. Candles are lit next to his head and those present sit around him, while reciting psalms.