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Can you say Kaddish for someone who is not Jewish?

Question:

Do people say kaddish for someone who is not Jewish? What occurs under those circumstances? Also, can a non Jewish person married to a Jew ever be buried in a Jewish cemetery?

Answer:

Good questions! A person who converts to Judaism follows all the same mourning practices for their non-Jewish parents as one born Jewish. You sit shiva and you say kaddish. At times one may have to make modifications because of the other non-Jewish relatives, but as much as possible one mourns as a Jew. Non-Jews are not allowed to be buried in a Jewish cemetery; however, there are now some mixed religion cemeteries where interfaith couples can be buried together.

Fri, April 19 2024 11 Nisan 5784