Nursing requires an enormous amount of care, both physical and psychosocial. In addition to having comprehensive medical knowledge, it is important for nurses to be aware of religious and cultural practices used in today's world. There are a multiplicity of different religious backgrounds and acquiring knowledge of their differences and important traditions will enable nurses to provide competent care. In the Jewish faith, death is considered a natural process, with many unique traditions that provide the opportunity for friends and family. spend time with the deceased. When death occurs and Jewish rituals begin, the body is never left alone, as mourners focus on respecting the dead and consoling the living. Many communities are known to have a burial society, called a "Chevra Kaddisha" or "Holy Society", whose purpose is to clean and then wrap the body in a plain linen shroud. Next, a room is chosen and candles will be lit to represent the “shomerim” (meaning “guards”) who will watch over the body, when it is placed on the ground and covered. For this reason, the body cannot be cremated or embalmed, and even autopsies are severely discouraged, as these acts would disrupt traditional Jewish mourning rituals. Within 24 hours of death, and if possible before sunset, the body is then placed in a coffin and buried. Coffins are not necessary, however, if one is used, there must be holes drilled in the bottom, so that the body can still come into contact with the ground. As for the living, Jewish mourners begin phases of mourning traditions, beginning with the tearing of their own clothes (Rich, 1996). According to tradition, mourners “cut their clothes with a razor – left for a relative; right for a space...... middle of paper ......people face death. It is necessary for nurses to demonstrate empathy, compassion and kindness when providing care to a dying patient and their family. Having a good knowledge base on important customs and rituals specific to certain religions will allow nurses to better understand the patient journey. This will allow nurses to better help patients in the grieving process and to better understand the expectations of the patient's family after their death. Additionally, nurses' knowledge about various aspects of religion can help them be impartial about their patients' beliefs versus their own. This will enable nurses to maintain a therapeutic relationship with patients and their families and provide quality care. Providing religious support to patients and their families is important in the face of death.