Losing a loved one can be a shattering experience, and for many people, it can be the darkest period in their lives. For this reason, Jewish tradition recognizes the time following a funeral as a time wheneveryone in the community must support the family members who suffered the loss.

Comforting mourners does not mean cheering them up. They will likely carry their grief with them for a very long time, and nothing we do or say will make them forget their loss. Instead, our tradition directs us to comfort mourners by demonstrating that they are not alone with their grief, and that we stand by them at this very difficult time.