Shiva the week-long period of grief and mourning for the seven first-degree relatives (father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, and spouse). As most regular activity is interrupted, the process of following the shiva ritual is referred to as "sitting" shiva. Shiva is a part of the customs for bereavement in Judaism.

The Hebrew word "shiva" means "seven", and the official shiva period is seven days. During these seven days, family members traditionally gather in one home and receive visitors.

Keriah At the funeral, mourners traditionally rend an outer garment, a ritual known as keriah. The garment must be a piece that "covers the heart.” The garment may not be worn again or mended; this symbolizes that the deceased will always be missed and cannot return to life. It may not be stripped for parts (such as buttons); this is considered disrespectful.

Paying a “shiva call” It is considered a great mitzvah (literally "commandment" but usually interpreted as "good deed") of kindness and compassion to pay a home visit to the mourners. Traditionally, no greetings are exchanged and visitors wait for the mourners to initiate conversation, or remain silent if the mourners do not do so, out of respect for their bereavement.

Greeting Those who enter the home for a shiva call, usually greet the mourner with the following: "May heaven comfort you” In Hebrew: “Tenachamu Min Hashamayim”

Restrictions during Shiva The mourner may not leave the house The mourner must sit on a low chair or the ground The mourner may not wear leather shoes Torah study is forbidden, except for the laws of shiva The mourner may not bathe or shower for pleasure, but may wash parts of his body for cleanliness using cold water.

Restrictions (cont.) The mourner may not wear new or freshly laundered clothes, or do any laundry. The mourner may not cook or prepare food using heat. The mourner may not work or conduct business. A mourner shall specifically refrain from reading or having conversation about deaths of other people during the shiva period, so their mind remains focused on the deceased for whom they are mourning, and not the deaths of others.

After Shiva Restrictions The mourner must refrain from listening to live or recorded music. For the death of a parent, this restriction continues for a full year. The mourner may not watch television (except for news). The mourner may not watch movies. Haircuts and shaving are not permitted. New clothes may not be worn. The mourner may not attend a wedding reception except for that of a close relative. Even then, the mourner is often provided for in an area separate from the main venue, but within hearing range of the festivities. The mourner can then partake of the wedding feast and be visited by other members of the wedding party.