A good deed of truth
Beth Am's Hevra Kadisha Committee, which literally means "holy society," is a group of dedicated men and women who see to it that the bodies of deceased members and family members are prepared for burial according to the Jewish tradition and are protected from desecration, willful or not, until burial. The main requirements are the showing of proper respect for the deceased, and the ritual of cleansing, dressing, and laying out the dead according to Jewish tradition.
The task of the Hevra Kadisha is considered a laudable one, as tending to the deceased is a favor that the recipient cannot return, making it devoid of ulterior motives. Its work is therefore referred to as a hesed shel emet (a good deed of truth).
In the Jewish tradition, it is regarded as exceptionally meritorious to join a Hevra Kadisha, particularly because so many people are reluctant to do so. Although few Jews, particularly outside the Orthodox community, are even aware of Hevra Kadisha societies, they exist in virtually every Jewish community, including ours at Beth Am.
